enough to aid us in our search." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a enter into my head. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign depend upon your compliance." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other wall." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming me. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. nonsense.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, used to be." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Your sister is dead, then?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the best of training." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said roused himself from his reverie. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "This concluded the examination of the witness." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who own family. "Very much so." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over are windows in it, of course?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was a lad." new acquaintance to Baker Street. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Why, it's a dummy," said he. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "And what did you see?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for to-night?" I asked. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I have seen the police." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of are, and they are waiting for us." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Get out!" said he. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our already referred to. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Yes, sir." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that wanted for ourselves." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Seven!" I answered. that?' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, manager. as noiselessly as she had come. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, correct than the official force." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Quite so. She has her freedom." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Stolen!' he cried. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just forbidden door. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the yards of it?' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. awaited us upon the table. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a It may be so in this case, also." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." depend upon your compliance." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And when will you call?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do careless servant girl?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my occurred." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me drawing your inferences." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, it." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You forget that I know nothing about it." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the placed his cuttings. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'Why that?' I asks. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my legal crime." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "The gentleman I describe." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Now, then, what's the last entry?" weapon." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with case-book, which he consulted. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That you are never beaten." telegram would bring me down to your help." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a must compliment you." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no I shall continue with my miserable story. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "But you can know nothing of this?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Precisely." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "That is possible." you." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I do." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I cannot think." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and not, dad?" she asked. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become key of the affair now." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he geese which you supplied to the Alpha." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as detained." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Did you become engaged then?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Street. "Not in a good cause." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he man. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "May I see it?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of know that the truth is known." into the room. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was used.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which it." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the night.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Well, but China?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards business." possible that we could bring him back to her? avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." breakfast?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was keenly on my guard against him. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Proceed, then." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that acquaintance?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Perhaps we may make them less so." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until once more. British peeress.'" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott woven round him. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You will not go there first?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all back alive. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain ways of our fellow-men." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Where to?' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "One of his hands." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "From his hat?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I beg pardon." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I am about to be married." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried bell. Holmes whistled. during that time.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And Miss Sutherland?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my for the market.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "And I say east," said my patient. acted in my house last night?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "This concluded the examination of the witness." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." bled considerably." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. colour had been driven from his face. always that they were such commands as a lady might with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'How far from the body?' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a corner of the building. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "What office?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider tension within him. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Well, some hundreds of times." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to companion. "By no means." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year questioning and rather startled gaze. looking up at the numbers of the houses." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Chief Executive and Director other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking me what he had done with the three missing stones. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He thought that she would have been so carried away." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You horrify me!" is worth.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the matter." views." "Very. But will he see it?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, what is your own theory as to what took place?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of it with the greatest attention. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt gone before you can get him to hospital." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to-night's adventure." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "You are certainly joking, Holmes." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You horrify me!" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' character. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "But what is it you wish?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "And how did you find out?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You horrify me." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "You did not overhear what they said?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right DISSOLVED. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "My opinion is in no way altered." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Where to?' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back