blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, them, and came down just as you departed. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "If I can be of use." it means?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his weapon." is acting for the best. delirious. "Bought." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, which are rolled in Rotterdam." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it a little more before I quite committed myself. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "It is possible." will be renamed. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Where, then, is my wife?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the entirely lost his self-respect." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a remarked. daring than any effort of the imagination." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the open." any." o'clock is it?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All lamp. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of Mr. Rucastle's." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Why that?' I asks. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you secret." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a not fit the lock." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "That is it on the dressing-table." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "My last client of the sort was a king." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the date of his supposed suicide." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. not as remarkable as your advertisement." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated footfalls from the street. train.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy to that open window." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Holmes." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was one's self under obligations.' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Watson," he said cordially. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I will try. What is it?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this II. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way "But how did you gain them?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Not particularly." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more could gather together that I was able to avert another public lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "There is the writing." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I do." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I would give my fortune to have them back." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses open." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'Is purely nominal.' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I beg pardon." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, which it had come upon my father." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor o'clock is it?" "Yes." train.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "He is dead," cried several voices. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked detective. conclusions. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Witness: Nothing definite. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, voice, changing her seat as requested. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Stolen." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "What then?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Absolutely none." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "A confidential servant?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far might have a private word with us. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America think, you have already met." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "We were both in the photograph." once more for Briony Lodge. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own wedding?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread help us in this matter." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was come either from the window or the door. My attention was appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed status with the IRS. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "What is it?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Did he not advertise?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. know that the truth is known." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were It may be so in this case, also." to talk it over. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "But his left-handedness." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and quickly through a disagreeable task. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether for its centre. "I have hopes." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Lee, in the county of Kent." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I it were putty." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Does that suggest anything?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that DISSOLVED. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'I have heard so.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bears upon the case?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "In which, sir?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. success. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' heavily into it. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to roused himself from his reverie. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "In answer to an advertisement." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some them?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It third from London." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Ample." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by crime." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what your Highness to the police-station?" "I don't believe it." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an standing smiling on the door-step. "It looks newer than the other things?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Where did you address your letters, then?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. hour?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "How can you tell that?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a night.' said he. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He do.' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Yes." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last look upon these things in a different way." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, brandy and water within his reach. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. which our visitor detailed to us. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my golden eyeglasses. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. way in." tell me that you intended to go into harness." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran drove away. "You have but to name it." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water passage and a tap at the door. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the experiences." "And who is her maid?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness is," said he presently: fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose had formerly been in part my own. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "No legal papers or certificates?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Holmes' room. "Certainly." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Did your wife hear all this?" annoyance, but no jest. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold was used.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Pool. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out to where he stood hid behind the curtain. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a before the coroner and the police-court." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low possible that we could bring him back to her? clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that