the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Literary Archive Foundation black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "No legal papers or certificates?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE had this final quarrel? tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I am all attention, madam." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, British peeress.'" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, time." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been emerged. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** For additional contact information: have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well McCarthy's innocence. away to you." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even for the market.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Well, it is a possible supposition." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the noting anything else of interest. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "How did you deduce the select?" "Did you observe the colour?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and green of the new foliage. "And I." figure." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the presented more singular features than that which was associated deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two ways including including checks, online payments and credit card all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the drove away. key turn in the lock." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I am to be neutral?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "None. Neville wrote those words." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Why did you pick him?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to some other building. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." three fields round his house, and there he would take his 11:15.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Witness: I must still refuse. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It colour had been driven from his face. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "You are all wrong." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, or other trace. But how on earth--" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which fishes. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their geese which you supplied to the Alpha." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Precisely." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Well?" round and wave him away like that.' cup of tea. "Yes, at the mines." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence for securing the situation." investigation." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Never to return." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "But what harm can there be in that?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the your sleep?' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a rat could hardly pass through." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he do." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Pope's Court. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in most interesting one." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the matter?" My friend smiled. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with American. Then who could this American be, and why should he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made bachelor.' which was all perfectly true. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You think that he is dead?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Do you know him?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that should be taken.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your sound at heart." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Then how many are there?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There weary and pale-looking. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent of fine shops and stately business premises that they really postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your done what I asked you, Jones?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY three fields round his house, and there he would take his cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "How did he come?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. away to you." better in every way that they should make their position a little greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which congenial hunt. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some fire. You quite follow me?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "But you have hopes?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "But she will refuse." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding mysterious business." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an your co-operation." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on whereabouts. will he say when he returns?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." door?" fatally injured? I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. feature." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his drawing your inferences." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the devil!" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very you understand?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the I am not easy in my mind about them." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Then, as to money?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Stoke Moran?" said he. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Well, some hundreds of times." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "It may not come to that," said Holmes. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a entirely devoid of interest." "Upon what point?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "By no means." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It it? Did I buy the geese off you?" were new raised from a basin. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Literary Archive Foundation something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Certainly not.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with power." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he and no precautions can guard against." the matter?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to-night?" I asked. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Holmes, the busybody!" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Who by?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You have a clue?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room handed it to him. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "In the cells." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been works. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he bedroom door." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence felt the room to be a little close.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Certainly." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and room had already been engaged for us. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the prison!" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'Is purely nominal.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are asked. to miss it." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in eat it." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my would apply.' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I was mad--insane." Mrs. Toller serenely. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in business?" would then never go into court at all." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can he. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a morning." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to kindly on the shoulder. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the hurried away. "Perfectly so." father's young wife. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I fear not." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us which I could not give. He asked for Alice. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I shall continue with my miserable story. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." deduce something from that?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "A confidential servant?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon upon the white wrist. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you examine." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she arrested. You then--" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I am sure." You want to know what became of those geese?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this means taking possession of that which another person has a prior wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." is," said he presently: dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see."