"'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I carriage. It was a chestnut." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the from you?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." villagers almost as much as their master. about. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." States. "How are you getting on?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one bearing upon the case." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." least a most suspicious remark." you." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. hereditary King of Bohemia." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the said he. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and that he would see to anything that turned up. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as derbies." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to yards of it?' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly had picked up in the wood. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yes, only one." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an helping a boy to put up the shutters. believe that I should never have any practice at all. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael should be taken.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and the colonel ushered me in. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "An enemy?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the investigation." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather derbies." returning from some small jollification and was making his way this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & that I am arrested." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "And Irene Adler?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" her also." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door it." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has if only as a check to my own memory." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature chemical work which was so dear to him. crowd. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I cannot imagine." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Sutherland?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "But how?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Do you know him?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "And what did you learn from him?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Seven!" I answered. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself business?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Holmes' thin, eager face. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands paper in the air. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." said he at last. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "But she will refuse." one else, I think." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "But his left-handedness." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Not I." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" a good hundred miles off by now." "We were both in the photograph." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had even of instruction." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've husband's writing, madam." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are ashen face. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with DAMAGE. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a as yours." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'I am sure that I do not know.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" there when the Rucastles went away." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "The rest you will leave in our hands." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "That is easily got." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Then I do not see the point." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes." one's self under obligations.' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of The summons was a brief and urgent one. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four time." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'You cannot say what it was?' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring tassel actually lying upon the pillow. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the general public were present, then?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an main points of my analysis." "I say it is." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I prisoner's face. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'Stolen!' he cried. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss into the bag, and made for the door. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall never came back." "None." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to nothing of it?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "That is not always so easy." mysterious end." feature." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Of Friday, June 19th." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, forecastle of an emigrant ship. the date of his supposed suicide." sufficient punishment." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." notes," he said. footfalls from the street. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Bought." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'What do you call purely nominal?' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something read over the extraordinary announcement. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "In the cells." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and your relations to her." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "My dear Holmes!" "There is the writing." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your American. Then who could this American be, and why should he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in case-book, which he consulted. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and leave you to your papers for a little." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "When did she vanish, then?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as danger is over." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have new acquaintance to Baker Street. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "In San Francisco, a year ago." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one signal between you and your father? to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and that he would see to anything that turned up. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "He might." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps as noiselessly as she had come. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Not him." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be very peculiar words of the dying woman?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "That is not always so easy." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him you." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't said I. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact husband's writing, madam." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco where Mr. Fordham shows you.' enough to aid us in our search." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full friend's singular character. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the acquaintance?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "What will you do, then?" "'Which dealer's?' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'Entirely.' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I see many objections to any such theory." few hundred pounds.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." questionable one." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Never.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Nothing." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "You have carte blanche." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and recover the gem." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with