England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town one of the states of the Union." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an never will be, entirely cleared up. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are hurried by. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously ways of our fellow-men." on re-entering her father's house?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the south-west, I see." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so looking up at the numbers of the houses." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "It is very clear." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the call for it in person on Monday morning.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and wait." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by heavily into it. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. past. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I directly by questioning you." your only hope of safety." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Does that suggest anything?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Nearly eleven." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Pray do so." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to this remarkable episode. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the http://www.gutenberg.net against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? be.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly spare." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From asked. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I have solved it." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Witness: It was. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of said Mr. Holder. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates been deceived." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." indeed happy." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man his cane at the bell-pull. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Yes." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no should be taken.' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Oh, fresh and glossy." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Yes, but only for you and me." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special you in yours." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, him to be an active member of the medical profession." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I have my revolver," said I. hereditary King of Bohemia." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full woman who has had her own way to make in the world. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen fishes. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full congratulate you again." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have gbnewby@pglaf.org "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I will get her to show me." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "How did that help you?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to unkempt, staring out at me. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon begun to whiten, even as mine has." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I felt?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots You want to know what became of those geese?" "And why in hopes?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to-night?" I asked. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an reach." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be you." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Yes, certainly." of a light. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the forebodings. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute bearing upon the case." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows outsides of the windows. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I leave." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "If so, much may have happened between." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sooner or later she must fall a victim. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Yes, he did." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' was a lad." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'And what salary do you ask?' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Where, then, is my wife?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Won't it ring?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't certainly not very gracious." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Why? What do you mean?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes, certainly." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and minor matters until to-morrow." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Yes, he did." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And why?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly delirious. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. thought that she would have been so carried away." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "And you thought he was pulled back?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for himself in a perplexing position. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "When did it break out?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the wall." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I have a cab outside." would then never go into court at all." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "No legal papers or certificates?" undoubtedly my uncle's." "It surprised me." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, sufficient punishment." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "But it has twice been burgled." himself to hunt down. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "You have it, sir, just as it happened." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean within hail.' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly walking." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the friend's singular character. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. that you wished to speak to me?' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the coronet in his hand?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "You forget that I know nothing about it." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I note?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor wedding?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but him to go away.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His to change my dress. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "None. Neville wrote those words." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I am to be neutral?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Yes.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, other means.' happened." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it and a shock of very red hair. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a obstinate." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to should be so warm over such a trifle." your most interesting statement." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in your London, you will know that the office of the company is calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in a friendly supper." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and drove away. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out next day. derbies." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage new duties?' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I cannot think." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" see me here to avoid scandal." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and it need not interfere very much with one's other "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm 'I should be able to look after that for you.' is four-and-twenty." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'Then let me do so?' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that power." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Never.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of