may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last him to be an active member of the medical profession." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "And how?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "What can you not understand?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to occupations.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and tail." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who something of him before." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Where, then?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "What, then?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It was." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "A call for help, you thought?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a derbies." outside." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Then what has happened to him?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Henry Baker is a member." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I will do it." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to murdered man." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, know that the truth is known." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." lost his Christmas dinner." strong and stiff." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you, my dear young lady?' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the very morning of the wedding." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I shall be delighted." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'It is locked up,' I answered. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very wanted for ourselves." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, weighed down with some great anxiety. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. disappearance of these gems?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "If so, much may have happened between." "But I am all in the dark." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. seven miles from Eyford Station.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "But you were on a friendly footing?" "The knees of his trousers." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have recall any case within my experience which looked at the first essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "That's no good." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Yes, he did." and wait." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' copied or distributed: "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our never will be, entirely cleared up. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But you can know nothing of this?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my pictures, libraries, or plate. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of redistribution. "None." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off flock.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most that I can to serve you." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, envelope. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See enter Dr. Roylott's room." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could one of the states of the Union." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to article?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. them, and came down just as you departed. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Seven!" I answered. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that records." outside." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors think, you have already met." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'About the same.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "An accident, I presume?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, fattened it expressly for you.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "A client, then?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of ways of our fellow-men." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and shall probably return to London by the evening train." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, it would be as well." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and the church but not where the lady lived." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "And you can do nothing until then?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "One?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "She showed me, as I told you she would." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." straighten it?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "There are none." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "You horrify me!" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully call the police, let the police find what they can.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the bed, and you in that chair." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Arthur Conan Doyle his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the may have an influence upon European history." cigars in their mouths. "Have you it here?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "We must have a cab." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and hour?' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "What! Had he lost his wife?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and get the tickets." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem see me here to avoid scandal." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the there has been an enclosure here!" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sofa. This way, please!" all-comprehensive glances. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "So I am. Very much so." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and But Holmes shook his head gravely. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you my friend's incisive reasoning. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "How can you tell that?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, this Miss Turner." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that I am arrested." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "What then?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I was mad--insane." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "You think that he is dead?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I there in twenty minutes." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out been deceived." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Well, some hundreds of times." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "At half-wages, in fact." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at sufficient punishment." all?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And now?" I asked. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the results." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I should wish to." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper success. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the legal crime." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies occurred." entirely devoid of interest." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "At half-wages, in fact." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded place of silver." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes voice, changing her seat as requested. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it hand, madam?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course of note-paper. It read in this fashion: she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "But she could not love him." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Always." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged deduce something from that?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "What steps will you take?" I asked. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Precisely so. But how--" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the his fortune, and I went back to pa. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sneer upon his pale face. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, bird of prey. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can easy-going way." "What I expected to see." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no less than 26s. 4d. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "So I have heard." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Who was the criminal, then?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it