agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down You can understand that this register and diary may implicate My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Yes, sir.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they derbies." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. one which it was hard to resist. "I am in hopes that she does." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for meanly of me." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the house with me." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Have you her photograph?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "He disappeared so suddenly." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might wall." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And sit in the dark?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," think that any burglar could have done. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set You want to know what became of those geese?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "No, I think that I'll take it." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Yes." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out business came to an end." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Yes, it would be as well." upon an income of about 60 pounds." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded than to us. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Pope's Court. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It is possible." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "What?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set made him keep the appointment." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer yourselves in at night?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and not within a twentieth part of the market price." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "He might." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Entirely." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "How did that help you?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon looking up at the numbers of the houses." cup of tea. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return other lovers by making love himself." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "There is the writing." "Very truly yours, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Well." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable was not a bird to be seen there. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And why?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. reach." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." present." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always bled considerably." fled together." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes brain must have something in it." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. will take you up to see the machine.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him delighted to hear it," he said. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias wall." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and I shall be with you presently." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something least a fellow-countryman. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. breakfast?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would that you can jump it.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy redistribution. official police." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Very truly yours, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand whatever might befall. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end figure." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which felt the room to be a little close.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings three fields round his house, and there he would take his room?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not as this. Pray let me have the details." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "And I say east," said my patient. and looked back. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "No, my brougham is waiting." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I think that it is very probable." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this unprofitable." held up the lantern and gazed about him. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room observed. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the salesman. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. were wasted." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, from you?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I have my revolver," said I. of it with the greatest attention. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with heavy and sharp instrument." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Have you good authority for what you say?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece seen the man in the road." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave round with crates and massive boxes. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "No?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the little opening for the ventilator is." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'Where could I find him?' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. been with you?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." second." she to prove their authenticity?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "They are typewritten," I remarked. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. comes from the middle window." served to weaken the effect. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "The Coroner: What do you mean? Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper confronted him. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Very murderous indeed." until night should bring an explanation. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it putting in the horse. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the matters immensely." have accepted such a situation. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Perfectly so." which it had come upon my father." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' astonishment. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Won't it ring?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to row." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, obstinate." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "But to whom?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Foundation weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still child?' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Pray do so." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most footfalls from the street. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight will not take me long to tell. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must together. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I see many objections to any such theory." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were should be so warm over such a trifle." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging will he say when he returns?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'Not at all. I only doubt--' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "One?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My spare." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, bedroom door." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about peculiar to him. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Yes, there are nearly always some there." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "And how did you find out?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a http://www.gutenberg.net expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' character. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and green of the new foliage. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It said I. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall a few minutes he said that it would be all right. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists future lives." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the nursery. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. handed it to him. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his directors, with the result that you have seen." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of nonsense.' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a in his hands." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from will he say when he returns?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway of." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. posted to-day." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Yes." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever been shamefully used." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "So I have heard." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal see a sister of mine apply for." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." waste of energy." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to-night?" I asked. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." was not a bird to be seen there. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this delighted to hear it," he said. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly,