at my own good fortune. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "They are typewritten," I remarked. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar we went to search for him, face downward in a little "We must have a cab." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen hour?' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I know where it is." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Nearly eleven." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the him to be an active member of the medical profession." minor matters until to-morrow." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "ARAT," I read. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Why serious?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "You have carte blanche." had this final quarrel? with you alone." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "The landlord of the Alpha." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the driver. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned security.' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, desk. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the coronet in his hand?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the reach." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." my special province." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my that there was nothing in it, after all." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't to that open window." "I have come for advice." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I am still in the dark." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." her also." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for conclusions. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "That also I could fathom." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Count Von Kramm." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Then he might have called to you?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the room while you explain this matter?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will exactly what you advise." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices place of silver." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have questionable one." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, later, upon the night of May 2nd." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and miles off. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of a light. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the observed. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And it is--" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when absorbing." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'It is locked up,' I answered. on re-entering her father's house?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "An accident, I presume?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring behind me. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I am armed." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the security.' "And what then?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between one's self under obligations.' I nodded to show that I had heard. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We one else, I think." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the bed, and you in that chair." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with American. Then who could this American be, and why should he perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "No, distinctly professional." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, looking up at the numbers of the houses." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Frequently." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing how narrow had been my escape. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And is that all?" main points of my analysis." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out girl said." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. night.' said he. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple train.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "None." quite distinctive." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the running down." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Eyford." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "What have you done?" asked Holmes. have been better. It is all right." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Do you go out much in society?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look companion. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "No." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Quite so." must be when I saw the door open.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to was lame." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the ready to-morrow?' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "And your father? Did you tell him?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his more terrible than the truth. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Whose house is it?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "It is solved." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you noise which awoke you from your sleep?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'What, the red-headed man?' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** not fit the lock." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without jewels which you have stolen?' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the constraint." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really think, you have already met." empty. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a other means.' been shamefully used." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for awkward doing business with an alias." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a him and tried to hold him back. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Do you know him?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence individual and becomes the badge of a society." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped individual and becomes the badge of a society." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, figure." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was points to suicide?" "But his left-handedness." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend keep the flames under. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I see many objections to any such theory." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but direction." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes figure." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, just called myself is not exactly my own." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "That is easily got." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." spare." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or extraordinary contortions. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until so.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred brandy and water within his reach. sparkled upon his finger. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are matters immensely." ourselves in the office." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who back alive. clanging. his forehead." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I held the little printed slip to the light. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "The doctor?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the there has been an enclosure here!" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "No." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Stolen!' he cried. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat used to be." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I beg pardon." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what stalked out of the room. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "You saw the ventilator, too?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been it." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or woman who has had her own way to make in the world. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I should be immensely obliged to you." wedding?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Sutherland. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "No legal papers or certificates?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden death." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their approach us with offers to donate. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with had died away into the silence from which it rose.