pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "What shall I do?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "That you are never beaten." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Perhaps I have." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded that threaten you." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Yes, but only for you and me." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I should wish to." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO without a word or a look. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the room while you explain this matter?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Pray let us have it, for all that." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I think that it is very probable." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Pray let us have it, for all that." like gravel from a pit.' office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I should wish to." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the tension within him. present." society." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I will, Miss Turner." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and the colonel ushered me in. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "To the police?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know train.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "That is it on the dressing-table." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and your relations to her." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project bedroom door." "Your presence might be invaluable." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the yet." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to open." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. developed." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in always that they were such commands as a lady might with scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge roused himself from his reverie. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then what has happened to him?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how may have an influence upon European history." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and room had already been engaged for us. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. my little problems." light and attacked it." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "None. Neville wrote those words." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, entirely devoid of interest." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. foresight and the moral retrogression?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "A call for help, you thought?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'I am sure if I had known--' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the hour?' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself certainly not very gracious." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." placed his cuttings. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a forebodings. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "The best possible." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, empty. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police rose-bushes. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was could not have written that. It is the German who is so with you alone." What do you deduce from it?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly towards the blaze. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the introspective fashion. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. for its centre. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Dr. Becher's." derbies." "10th. John Swain cleared. your room." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "No." girl said." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, views." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sneer upon his pale face. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "And now?" He raised his hand. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, at a side door. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some tell him that I know him to be innocent." tension within him. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "And I." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom ran thus: electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The yards of it?' brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "What have you to say now?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very speckled band?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental child?' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all in the dead of the night?' words came to my lips. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. politicians who had been sent down from the North. Gutenberg-tm License. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might beg that you will break it off." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than who was a member of your goose club." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the bottom.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the events, Mr. Windibank!" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "May I see it?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Countess of Morcar's?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, is now desirous of getting those letters back." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these third from London." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and I shall be with you presently." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the driver. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** lost his Christmas dinner." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A if only as a check to my own memory." "Then how many are there?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the constraint." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Was she in good spirits?" note?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about coroner's jury." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something I shall communicate with you." the coronet in his hands?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'And what salary do you ask?' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sentimental considerations in the background which would induce crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their away to you." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It is very kind of you." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, about. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You are hungry," I remarked. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "A greater distance to travel." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to thirty. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Then I shall certainly come." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught forbidden door. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Henry Baker is a member." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered extraordinary contortions. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the gigantic client. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. fuss that is made over them." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the nursery. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I beg pardon." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." handed it to him. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his thin legs towards the fire. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said His smile broadened. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could experiences." golden eyeglasses. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no mystery may be cleared along those lines." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Thank you. And your address?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "9th. McCauley cleared. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's pierced for earrings?" "There are none." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" weary and pale-looking. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been words came to my lips. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free during that time.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future time." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as giving me time to thank him. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "When did she vanish, then?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, charge against him will break down." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining ready to-morrow?' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I shall continue with my miserable story. ceremony." and a shock of very red hair. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "We were both in the photograph." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the driver. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Leadenhall Street--and--" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and wait." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third o'clock is it?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call less than 26s. 4d. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful might have a private word with us. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a