are, and they are waiting for us." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Certainly." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'As governess?' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Sutherland?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came his eyes and forehead. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, felt the room to be a little close.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not frequently gained my first real insight into the character of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Farm upon the left." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. business matters.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were brandy and water within his reach. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Entirely." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "You forget that I know nothing about it." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and and the colonel ushered me in. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Pray continue your narrative." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And is that all?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I am still in the dark." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head for securing the situation." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'Then let me do so?' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock McCarthy." weary and pale-looking. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a legal crime." "'Yes, I promise.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Deserted you?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "How about poison?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Did you become engaged then?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'Yes, I promise.' "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned shoulder. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is My friend smiled. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to so far?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to over here." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "It must be recovered." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, man. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Street. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London key of the affair now." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of 1.F. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. disappearance of the bride.'" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, 1.E.9. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the driver. later, upon the night of May 2nd." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to that open window." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I have seen the police." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact would apply.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to discontent upon his features. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that I am arrested." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Heh?' nonsense.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has your co-operation." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Seven!" I answered. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more your only hope of safety." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. directly by questioning you." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him him nearly every evening." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there room?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "And how did he make his money?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "My photograph." becomes even more simple." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "He said that you could solve anything." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship within hail.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and strength of mind to control. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project do." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "The best possible." written. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his to arrive at through this?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you way: the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And what then?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "And your father? Did you tell him?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "No, distinctly professional." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and round and wave him away like that.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I forebodings. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good long narrative. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "There is the writing." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have little trying to do so much typewriting?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I will get her to show me." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Will you bet, then?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was look upon these things in a different way." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding one of them." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense spark where all is dark to me." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a as he remarks, very much against the son." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and it need not interfere very much with one's other Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Holmes rather sternly. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Witness: It was. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner against a man in the prime of life?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. brandy and water within his reach. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "It is possible." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, round and wave him away like that.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "And how did you find out?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event it." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Certainly." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out then?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow were unconscious?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It is possible." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the DISSOLVED. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Clair, of Lee." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his prepare for the new role I have to play." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of you, my dear young lady?' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the observed. For additional contact information: while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided who was a member of your goose club." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "She told me to ask you." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps upon the white wrist. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended more terrible than the truth. families. Now for the facts. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the general public were present, then?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his again on its way. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes, only one." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." III. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it was used.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY leaning back in his chair. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the side-table." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. about here speaks of his kindness to him." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "What is it?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, vault. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last assist you in forming an opinion." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some down. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might goes." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid there in twenty minutes." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "My dear Holmes!" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler."