voice, changing her seat as requested. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or introspective fashion. "And what did you see?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to that open window." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much chill to my heart. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "What then?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: had picked up in the wood. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to over here." "And what then?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet are, and they are waiting for us." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his such person." "And how did you find out?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Perfectly so." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I a room. one of the states of the Union." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of pound a week." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "He might." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My extraordinary contortions. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Ah!" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Where, then?" to take care of herself." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable you for a few hours?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and the colonel ushered me in. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than that you wished to speak to me?' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "But what harm can there be in that?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes." money should be paid at once.' For additional contact information: trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's have not had my rubber." events than those which have happened in my own family." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and touch that coronet?' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "That is it on the dressing-table." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid might help us?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Very truly yours, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you cheerful." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to tackle the facts." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. burst out into a roar of laughter. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you row." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting simple cases which are so extremely difficult." that you wished to speak to me?' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Where is it, then?" himself. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'There is a drive, then?' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and power." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I fear not." the side-table." nights." are, and they are waiting for us." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly grasp, he hurried from the room. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea will take you up to see the machine.' of Mr. Rucastle's." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am into the bag, and made for the door. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I am in hopes that she does." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have fat-encircled eyes. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a works. See paragraph 1.E below. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with a monotonous occupation." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed he. "Imitated." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face will not take me long to tell. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Was she in good spirits?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that infinite languor in his face. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "A call for help, you thought?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, some hundreds of times." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Yes." bearing upon the case." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. was keenly on my guard against him. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a as noiselessly as she had come. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "And you don't know his address?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile was shining brightly. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Entirely." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I guilty parties." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was some terrible trap for her." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay of campaign. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "But she could not love him." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you wanted for ourselves." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Why did you beat the pavement?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I cannot tell." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "A client, then?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "My dear Holmes!" even of instruction." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding events, Mr. Windibank!" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "But his left-handedness." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." humiliation." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Perhaps I have." "Then I do not see the point." "I say that I have solved it." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Did you observe the colour?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting room had already been engaged for us. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." is now desirous of getting those letters back." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Were they all fastened this morning?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "There are none." how narrow had been my escape. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And the murderer?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hardly wander." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'I shall certainly be there.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that gone before you can get him to hospital." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the roots. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At my special province." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the see me here to avoid scandal." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And now?" I asked. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." his grey eyes. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he in one or two places in England?' "Will you go?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. standing smiling on the door-step. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards hands. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted outside." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Yes, sir." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left copied or distributed: took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds in one or two places in England?' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of unprecedented a position." shaken than I had ever seen him. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our could gather together that I was able to avert another public night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such again before evening." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That towards the blaze. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Yes, sir.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black room?" 1.E.9. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "But how?" hard-headed British jury." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Pool. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I wife's character?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Ample." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Yes. He waved his hands." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "In what way?" asked Holmes. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the if she died from some sudden fright." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I shall be delighted." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I will get her to show me." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes." you want, then?' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "To an English lawyer named Norton." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock