coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "But he might be a bachelor." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "At what time?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I villagers almost as much as their master. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ have an American origin." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his in him." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler here and I will read it to you: the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "And I to find an enemy." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it not come at once?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you with the outside air!" "You have the photograph?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." cost them two and thirty pounds." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Where did he live, then?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "How did you trace it, then?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of married her." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock as noiselessly as she had come. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban I shall continue with my miserable story. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to again on its way. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "He is dead," cried several voices. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." as the one I chose?' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I don't believe it." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Then you may entirely rely on me." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round something of him before." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'Which dealer's?' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight it." green of the new foliage. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to arrive at through this?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from asked with his eyes open. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the may have an influence upon European history." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "And that is--" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Could he throw no light?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot just ask you whether you had heard it.' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, away to you." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up success. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Holmes' thin, eager face. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so corner of the building. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "My last client of the sort was a king." without a word or a look. all that?" mystery." "I should like to see him very much." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up horse could go." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, strength." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "You think that he is dead?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn very old mansion. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous disturbance in my wife." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Game for a morning drive?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "My dear Holmes!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is answer." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I correct than the official force." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." case-book, which he consulted. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to cost them two and thirty pounds." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "She showed me, as I told you she would." her also." to surprise her." him!" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the redistribution. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a your Highness to the police-station?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next about. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. new duties?' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I fear not." in. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little at my own good fortune. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "That also I could fathom." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "It is solved." "Imitated." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I that you saw all that I did." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Yes." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she at my remark. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that rooms." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this tell him that I know him to be innocent." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about dead, shall be safe with us." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to over here." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "No, I had a dozen." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which villagers almost as much as their master. careless servant girl?" most interesting one." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question directors have had misgivings upon the subject." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "But how?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east been." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "'Certainly not. But why?' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose pictures, libraries, or plate. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." morning." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others you understand?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every dead, shall be safe with us." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "That is unusual in a young girl." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I she used." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "And Irene Adler?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's a monotonous occupation." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Quite so. She has her freedom." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "It came here." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to talk it over. rat could hardly pass through." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Leadenhall Street--and--" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon in him." "That is not always so easy." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. handed it to him. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. anything to do with the matter?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no gone. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive October 9, 1890. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees through." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. cost them two and thirty pounds." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he guilty parties." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. minor matters until to-morrow." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the coroner come to?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings whether it answered to the description of any of their its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "10th. John Swain cleared. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I am still in the dark." "Nothing." upon the shelf for the interim." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Holmes. a suggestive one." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was October 9, 1890. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. other, as fresh and trim as possible. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. interest. They are important, you understand, without being eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of this gang." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It is no ordinary one." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "And why?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face http://gutenberg.net/license). to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was