out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." not within a twentieth part of the market price." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless But Holmes shook his head gravely. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "It's nothing of the kind." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "In answer to an advertisement." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the seem to you to be relevant or not." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. your Highness to the police-station?" dead, shall be safe with us." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very showing my impatience. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, wedding?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with call the police, let the police find what they can.' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" meant." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's little adventures." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the ceiling. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed corner of the building. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best easy-going way." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would little trying to do so much typewriting?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and my little problems." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come outside." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which up this clue while it is still hot." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. posted to-day." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You think that he is dead?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. coroner's jury." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the night.' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying at my own good fortune. presented more singular features than that which was associated "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." carpenter." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "No." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain present." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "To an English lawyer named Norton." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Yes, it was gone.' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours hour." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our From what you have told me I think that it is possible that As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "A client, then?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and is a common subject for conversation. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Henry Baker is a member." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened noble correspondent could be. http://www.gutenberg.net a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had least a fellow-countryman. "That you are never beaten." "Yes, it was twisted." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, me have 200 pounds?' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts shadow pass over his face as I spoke. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he question. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the burst out into a roar of laughter. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the ready to-morrow?' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not late." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his at once, for I have only half an hour." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for place of silver." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the from you?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life meant." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and laid it on the table. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and me what he had done with the three missing stones. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "What! You do not mean bodies?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been then?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. which are rolled in Rotterdam." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Whose house is it?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And on what day did he meet his death?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You know me, then?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Then I shall certainly come." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "None." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'A dozen yards or so.' "I have come for advice." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "At the wedding breakfast." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, assist you in forming an opinion." appeal." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And who is her maid?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very retorted upon me, and I on you." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the tragedy. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Were they all fastened this morning?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work man. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the whereabouts. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to take care of herself." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "So it appears." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES danger is over." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in started for the Temple to see my husband. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of the one which your family is now devouring." himself to tell his story. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I have come for advice." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to is a common subject for conversation. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Surrey." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a are, and they are waiting for us." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are man. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the best detective that ever lived. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. meant." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an exactly what you advise." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not his fortune, and I went back to pa. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I have come for advice." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be when your master had gone out." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the sake, don't!" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Yes, it was twisted." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at not interfere, come what may. You understand?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Countess of Morcar's?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." you." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "How many? I don't know." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But an introduction to him?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. acted in my house last night?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair highroad, where all traces were lost. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. yards of it?' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of light and attacked it." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." out." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Then, as to money?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." business." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have chair. approach us with offers to donate. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "What! Had he lost his wife?" gentleman's clothes. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. look dissatisfied." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a better in every way that they should make their position a little hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that?' "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." highroad, where all traces were lost. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Always." London for the present?" to-night?" I asked. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "And what did you see?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, spark where all is dark to me." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied child?' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I was afraid that you were engaged." annoyance, but no jest. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. pound a week." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "My opinion is in no way altered." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined only touch the interest." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, eavesdroppers?' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Yes." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird asked. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "No, I had a dozen." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' other means.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Stolen, then." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Never." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for matter over." golden eyeglasses. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would call for it in person on Monday morning.' miles off. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am.