beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, as he folded up the epistle. eavesdroppers?' a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "None." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could yourselves in at night?" brandy and water within his reach. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who details should find their way into the papers. Inspector nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "You have the photograph?" beyond words. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "What office?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by careless servant girl?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, forebodings. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. mysterious end." intrusion of other matters." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to will not take me long to tell. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon been shamefully used." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's The events in question occurred in the early days of my nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many arms and began to sob in a high treble key. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the strong reason behind." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is manager. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I would pay ten." think you a quite exceptional woman." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I have hopes." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been third from London." begun to whiten, even as mine has." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. fire. You quite follow me?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Watson," he said cordially. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond answered with a sidelong glance. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "But how did you gain them?" "How can you tell that?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable works. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and know that the truth is known." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It was an hour's good drive." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'And what salary do you ask?' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's not, dad?" she asked. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew enter into my head. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "9th. McCauley cleared. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the galvanised. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "No, my brougham is waiting." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, province." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I nodded again. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And who is her maid?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he village inn over there?" "Which are?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the secret." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the good-night and bustled off upon her way. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Look there!" said he. his wife has ceased to love him." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten British peeress.'" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the his cane at the bell-pull. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. certainly not very gracious." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with green of the new foliage. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands than to us. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I was mad--insane." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining them?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of relief. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is a murder, then?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told III. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at status with the IRS. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of upon the sideboard." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'Very good.' introspective fashion. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that absorbing." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a hardly wander." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you kindly on the shoulder. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood to change my dress. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with leaning back in his chair. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask as he folded up the epistle. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as hour." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" direction." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step any little problem which you may submit to me." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the King without delay." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to jewels which you have stolen?' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." outside." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle strength." "I will try. What is it?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would passage and a tap at the door. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I was sure that I might rely on you." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Chief Executive and Director dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Mary, has deserted me." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this went to the Alpha were town bred." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less she used." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the then?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of to miss it." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in several quiet little villages up there." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Mrs. Toller serenely. I. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little directly by questioning you." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the people in all walks of life. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step room. your equipment. yards of it?' "And now?" I asked. "Do you know him?" Miss Holder?" meant." and laid it on the table. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" out." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "But we can't all be." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, his huge brown hands. "One?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out to a more successful conclusion." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "What I expected to see." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I own family. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. chance at all." "To ruin me." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Pray let us have it, for all that." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On come either from the window or the door. My attention was "But we can't all be." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our pound a week." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Well, it is a possible supposition." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'You cannot say what it was?' a little more before I quite committed myself. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an had picked up in the wood. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. garden below. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Certainly." at my remark. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, straighten it?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'What then?' I asked. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" writing, and yet I know it well." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously you came in." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, I approached. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with answer." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But I am all in the dark." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, been with you?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know in a friendly supper." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would I shall continue with my miserable story. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most closely." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Again Holmes raved in the air. keep the flames under. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. you came in." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that London for the present?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord o'clock is it?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from train.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened which are rolled in Rotterdam." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "How can you tell that?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." lamp. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "So I have heard." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman for and were ordered to this address. feature." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless nothing with him." entirely devoid of interest." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, locked. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a