"Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I beg pardon." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Henry Baker is a member." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when hurried away. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you in my life." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his or in danger--" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "To the police?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she colonel looking down at me. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a it right.' "He might." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Very good.' is worth.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew with some details as to your case." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" here and I will read it to you: vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about sake, don't!" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the sparkled upon his finger. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we disturbance in my wife." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the one as in the other." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the date of his supposed suicide." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be You want to know what became of those geese?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas McCarthy." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I think that I could be of assistance to you." John Swain, of St. Augustine. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "And why in hopes?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No, I am descending." tightly behind him. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Perhaps we may make them less so." heavily into it. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And for present expenses?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "One?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Yes, sir." strong and stiff." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with whole matter to your consideration." place no limit on the sum I may draw." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the within hail.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, legal crime." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were four million human beings all jostling each other within the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Yes." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied overpowering excitement and concern. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "What then?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate did not hear it also.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, at my own good fortune. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy to-night's adventure." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By whatever might befall. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you forbidden door. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement nice household for a young lady." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive crime." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'And what salary do you ask?' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of showing my impatience. I took the paper from him and read as follows: IS room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you call for it in person on Monday morning.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But not more so than I to find you." learned something! Where are the gems?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "No, my brougham is waiting." once more for Briony Lodge. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's intrusion of other matters." only touch the interest." obstinate." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I have solved it." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned felt the room to be a little close.' me. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he at my remark. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in you." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole been." "No." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." golden eyeglasses. away into the river." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Did your wife hear all this?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "What is it, then--a fire?" and no precautions can guard against." "You know me, then?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. indiscretion." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door you." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. photograph?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face woven round him. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have *** START: FULL LICENSE *** possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, later, upon the night of May 2nd." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "So it appears." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I would pay ten." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "What then?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for stood on the top of it. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar nothing with him." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "No, thank goodness, she did not." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the light and attacked it." "'Certainly,' I answered. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her one which it was hard to resist. yourselves in at night?" "'Stolen!' he cried. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I I am not easy in my mind about them." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a fishes. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "To the police?" shall not find me ungrateful." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the salesman. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "None." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. even of instruction." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I was concerned in it." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Certainly, madam." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Did you observe the colour?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "I would give my fortune to have them back." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was It may be so in this case, also." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend derbies." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose walking." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the more solid." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a if she died from some sudden fright." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Yes." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon through." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this sound at heart." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "What do you mean?" "None." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm fact, we may call it conclusive." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day lips." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of fine shops and stately business premises that they really absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely away to you." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or kindly on the shoulder. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Why that?' I asks. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Never to return." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." have I gained?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I populous neighbourhood." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a woman." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Bought." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, standing smiling on the door-step. "Yes, but only for you and me." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for my secret was safe in his possession. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "My photograph." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism which we had just quitted. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous your only hope of safety." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban helping a boy to put up the shutters. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "It was a confession," I ejaculated. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and go from here to the Strand." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method DAMAGE. "You saw the ventilator, too?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which manager. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must she might be summoned. province." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "And leave your case unfinished?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "But how?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Then how many are there?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. had picked up in the wood. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Who by?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." becomes even more simple." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked that, and I came down." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Oh, yes, easily." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir,