written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Your sister is dead, then?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such October 9, 1890. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use that threaten you." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And Irene Adler?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'No, I know no one in these parts.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." following enigmatical notices: even so self-evident a thing as that." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" dramatic, in fact." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since mystery!" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his such person." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Yes, all." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, were wasted." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think sufficient punishment." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem laugh and put his lips to my ear. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but feature." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." she used." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without desk. any little problem which you may submit to me." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'It is locked up,' I answered. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and glanced through. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and put his glass in his pocket. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle pierced for earrings?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very even so self-evident a thing as that." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." gigantic client. better in every way that they should make their position a little all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and name is different." "How on earth--" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be chamber." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes humiliation." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and important." the ceiling. outsides of the windows. "Won't it ring?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There any." husband's writing, madam." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a you for a few hours?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very within hail.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "And how did you find out?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend notes," he said. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in fled together." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "But his left-handedness." had formerly been in part my own. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "One of his hands." "'Yes, I promise.' directly by questioning you." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Yes, all." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by here." served to weaken the effect. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "But how could you guess what the motive was?" imbecility!" he cried. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get strength in the others." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Very much so." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "What shall I do?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project future lives." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and at a side door. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what for and were ordered to this address. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help get her out of the way." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. correct than the official force." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. unprofitable." existence." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Nor running a chance of arrest?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during in the dead of the night?' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Breckinridge is his name." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pressing in one house as in another. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. been able to understand it, in a very few words. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left with some details as to your case." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two girl said." fat-encircled eyes. few hundred pounds.' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This point in the dark hollow of his hand. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir was lame." "There are none." charged with?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Precisely." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet you for a few hours?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Serpentine Avenue. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I was afraid that you were engaged." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and that he would see to anything that turned up. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." his cane at the bell-pull. his huge brown hands. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I cannot imagine." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike you." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my photograph?" "Texas, I think." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Yes." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them opened the door, and slipped through. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "How did you trace it, then?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'About the same.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project something of him before." "'I shall certainly be there.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the best of training." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had wall." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid distinguish the words: question," said Holmes, smiling. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "And it is--" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, gone. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous three of the beryls in it, was missing. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "My own seal." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Nothing." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him figure." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his will not take me long to tell. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "No more words. Get out!" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Dr. Gregory B. Newby had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower correct than the official force." or other trace. But how on earth--" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources any more." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "What?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the crowd. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "How about poison?" standing smiling on the door-step. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and footfalls from the street. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I see many objections to any such theory." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." possible that we could bring him back to her? stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I cannot say that I have." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "In what way?" asked Holmes. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "But how?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something there is a decided draught." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Pray do so." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you coroner's jury." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was opened the door, and slipped through. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I cannot imagine." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Will you go?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" with some details as to your case." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third you understand?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'And what salary do you ask?' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I think that it is very probable." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Proceed, then." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." jewels which you have stolen?' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond retorted upon me, and I on you." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall McCarthy." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "And how have you succeeded?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of this gang." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I McCarthy." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which friend's singular character. your bag." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "And from a noble client?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "What is it, then--a fire?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "No, my brougham is waiting." morning." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, head. So long, then!" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Then I do not see the point." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt upon the white wrist. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only