she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes, the wine-cellar." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible in a very precise fashion." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You are hungry," I remarked. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant conduct the inquiry." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Certainly, madam." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked is entirely a question of barometric pressure." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City for and were ordered to this address. telegram would bring me down to your help." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "In answer to an advertisement." "He said that you could solve anything." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Were they all fastened this morning?" the south-west, I see." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I will do it." have had none more fantastic than this." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "No?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the matter." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Yes, the wine-cellar." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's it means?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." sooner or later she must fall a victim. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Not him." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet events, Mr. Windibank!" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Only as much as we can deduce." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And did you observe any change in her then?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler both be extremely obliged.' entirely lost his self-respect." "I should be immensely obliged to you." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Texas, I think." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the cup of tea. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from them present such singular features as the strange train of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that opportunities to fix the problem. "'Ample.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for memory. "How are you getting on?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Why did you pick him?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into crime. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Certainly." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Do you receive much company?" he asked. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. know that the truth is known." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the manager. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Yes." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the strength of mind to control. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, It may be so in this case, also." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the one as in the other." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "What, then, did Peterson do?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the station." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And how did he make his money?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case outsides of the windows. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a late." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I some city in a dream. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce I think that I could be of assistance to you." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. a very grave face. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have His smile broadened. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One deduce something from that?" events than those which have happened in my own family." "It is solved." cigars in their mouths. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Frequently." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "What have you to say now?" Literary Archive Foundation visitors." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear ordinary clothes on?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "And what did you see?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we most important business. It is probable that he will be away all concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes, only one." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which putting in the horse. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black photograph a cabinet?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental a good hundred miles off by now." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, mysterious business." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing indiscretion." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who shadow pass over his face as I spoke. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "What then?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Well?" coroner's jury." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Is he quiet?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "We were both in the photograph." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my your Highness to the police-station?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and crime. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Yes, it was gone.' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "No more words. Get out!" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." residence of the great financier. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "To an English lawyer named Norton." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from placed his cuttings. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who 1.F. "It was an hour's good drive." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing matter." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. is acting for the best. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Never." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for papers must be those that are destroyed.' A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And I." himself. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You horrify me!" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The decline of his fortunes, then?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly photograph?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible showing my impatience. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's dear old homesteads?" "You have carte blanche." villagers almost as much as their master. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I say it is." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine legal crime." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, observed. grasp, he hurried from the room. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Was the window open?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat wedding?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's absolutely follow my advice in every respect." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind conclusions. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was situation." before the coroner and the police-court." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I acted in my house last night?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their one which it was hard to resist. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Stolen!' he cried. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I should wish to." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall present." paper in the air. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Was he the only applicant?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the was not a bird to be seen there. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice respectable self." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper opened the door, and slipped through. "The doctor?" he died? sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Certainly, madam." throat." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an became a certainty. to-night?' the driver. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "I shall most certainly do so." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the bottom.' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "And Irene Adler?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "The Cedars?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Because he was handy and would come cheap." 11:15.' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a of the way of danger. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have test if we have an answer to our advertisement." leaning back in his chair. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "How are you getting on?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'And what are they worth?' I asked. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That salesman. footfalls from the street. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot It was close upon four before the door opened, and a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Certainly." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps,