strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I am in hopes that she does." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he morning." Count Von Kramm." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'What, the red-headed man?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and side. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as definite end. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the just called myself is not exactly my own." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "How about poison?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that relief. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in examination of the premises, but without finding anything which building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'I have heard so.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature remarked. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "And Irene Adler?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin newspaper selections." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "No bad?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an pity, because in other respects you would really have done very had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Two days later this same performance was gone through under purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ceremony." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. shall use the carriage to-night." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." were unconscious?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'You cannot say what it was?' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "He is still with you, I presume?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at neither fascinating nor artistic." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "But his lameness?" "One?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the take the flies, but not before." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business my little problems." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Yes, I have one waiting." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, if only as a check to my own memory." "Your French gold?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Breckinridge is his name." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment row." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she will find little credit to be gained out of this case." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to too. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "But how did you gain them?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully to me. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some foresight and the moral retrogression?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled fattened it expressly for you.' "I will, Miss Turner." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But what harm can there be in that?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of him nearly every evening." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "What I expected to see." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a long narrative. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, direction." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I have got?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three conversation I have gathered that they have been married about these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. weapon." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Yes." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of ashen face. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage there!' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Witness: It was. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to floor. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'I am sure if I had known--' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Entirely." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As was shining brightly. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of locked. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in the port of London." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign me. You must get home instantly and act." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "My photograph." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Certainly." stepfather?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" overpowering excitement and concern. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Holmes' face clouded over. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the be there in time for your coming." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that are, I think, all that we need." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "In the cells." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. quite distinctive." fattened it expressly for you.' was used.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would there in twenty minutes." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, purpose equally well?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking guilty one." "And who is her maid?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a redistribution. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric despair." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to a light-house. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Tired-looking or fresh?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. window when the police appeared." respectable self." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Leadenhall Street--and--" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is side. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and future lives." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I was sure that I might rely on you." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing footfalls from the street. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few upon a handsome competence. said I. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll tell him that I know him to be innocent." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You hour?' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too returned to France?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all room had already been engaged for us. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "And you can do nothing until then?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the dangers which encompass me." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hand, madam?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Texas, I think." horse could go." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler any little problem which you may submit to me." "Very. But will he see it?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "But she will refuse." once more for Briony Lodge. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment kindly on the shoulder. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." yourselves in at night?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "At what time?" Mary, has deserted me." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Nothing." him to be an active member of the medical profession." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in singular points about the case. What did the police think of the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set a monotonous occupation." that?' never came back." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon with frightened eyes at his accuser. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him gone. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic until night should bring an explanation. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, present." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the call for it in person on Monday morning.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Ha! you find it so?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." strong reason behind." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you nonsense.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Frequently." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. about here speaks of his kindness to him." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and no precautions can guard against." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are him. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking