were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Sholtos." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Ten will be early enough." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without License. You must require such a user to return or and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for purpose of examination. "Quite so." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It is half-past ten now." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking meanly of me." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure it right.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I public press." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the Red-headed League." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "If I can be of use." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. respectable self." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the her also." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet roused himself from his reverie. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "The King of Scandinavia." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, row." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, existence." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Then the page we have seen--" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! there were one or two details which were new to me. But the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Countess of Morcar's?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I seen the man in the road." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, seen the man in the road." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the inquest, and which are worth considering." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "This photograph!" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your DISSOLVED. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found mystery may be cleared along those lines." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "That's no good." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and looked back. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and very old mansion. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she take the flies, but not before." "Very murderous indeed." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father infinite languor in his face. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the morning and make my own way in the world.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second drove away. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into triumphant cloud from his cigarette. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "So I am. Very much so." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to interested in these little problems, and since you are good analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Your sister is dead, then?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really digesting their breakfasts at home." "And how did you verify them?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "This photograph!" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the not as remarkable as your advertisement." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Not particularly." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking will he say when he returns?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. disappearance of the bride.'" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Not him." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her was not a bird to be seen there. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project noble correspondent could be. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Do you go out much in society?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Certainly." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and had formerly been in part my own. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I here and I will read it to you: expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in him." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action time." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It is very clear." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Come in!" said Holmes. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "By no means." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to change my dress. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to me. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "And I say east," said my patient. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he them?" which was all perfectly true. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." goes." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "The vanishing of the lady." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Witness: Nothing definite. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "It was." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "How are you getting on?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in events than those which have happened in my own family." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "None. Neville wrote those words." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried fact, we may call it conclusive." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have down from London to inquire more deeply into it." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Where, then, is my wife?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Why did you beat the pavement?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "9th. McCauley cleared. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." up this clue while it is still hot." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." suddenly upon us." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very own family. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob four million human beings all jostling each other within the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Absolutely?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." your equipment. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I guessed as much." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an carried out of court." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could too. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. of." "How can you tell that?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after very old mansion. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the paper in the air. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of made him keep the appointment." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at developed." "Then the page we have seen--" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only tell him that I know him to be innocent." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Then how many are there?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the promised to bring home. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather standing smiling on the door-step. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the inner apartment." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You clang of the bell. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her examine." "I know where it is." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We purpose of examination. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. DISSOLVED. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, is worth.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any distinguish the words: play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such http://gutenberg.net/license). "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his orange pips. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Then, how do you know?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in I shall continue with my miserable story. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for wife's character?" and no precautions can guard against." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing better grown goose." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious here and I will read it to you: before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned ordinary clothes on?" been." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of companion. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker emerged. opened the door, and slipped through. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Was she in good spirits?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might business?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "But who is he?" are, I think, all that we need." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of gbnewby@pglaf.org his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Clair, of Lee." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Perfectly so." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and the colonel ushered me in. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end forehead. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining