"Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent papers must be those that are destroyed.' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in thought that she would have been so carried away." to-night." then?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." I nodded again. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "What, then?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was most interesting one." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "One?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Street. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I shall most certainly do so." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that in. noble correspondent could be. "At what time?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of note-paper. It read in this fashion: send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, there was no need for father to know." "How did you trace it, then?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "And Miss Sutherland?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we such person." think, you have already met." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Absolutely none." bonnet, and went out." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the Assizes." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning weighed down with some great anxiety. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser one else, I think." into the bag, and made for the door. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by your Highness to the police-station?" outsides of the windows. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry fear." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that I am arrested." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I cannot imagine." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I will do it." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "You will not go there first?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the salesman. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain bears upon the case?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him been shamefully used." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a there when the Rucastles went away." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "One of his hands." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several him to be an active member of the medical profession." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Did you observe the colour?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the little opening for the ventilator is." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in that he has suffered." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "But it has twice been burgled." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so wall." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Pool. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But who is he?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her electronic works there is a decided draught." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "What is it?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Which surely he restored to their owner?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Dr. Gregory B. Newby I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour mystery may be cleared along those lines." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door know all about it," he snarled. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing detained." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Certainly." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Did you become engaged then?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it such attractions and accomplishments?' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I am following you closely," I answered. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you there is a decided draught." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the room while you explain this matter?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I this man was intellectual?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in whatever might befall. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Entirely." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that, and I came down." you." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Arthur Conan Doyle She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" which it had come upon my father." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my would apply.' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a house for five minutes.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide him!" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "But we can't all be." for the market.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his new acquaintance to Baker Street. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. nothing of it?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Yes." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Holmes. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If have accepted such a situation. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we observed. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him papers diligently of late, have you not?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Countess of Morcar's?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Bought." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "But you were on a friendly footing?" evidence," I remarked. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of pressing in one house as in another. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "One of his hands." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I see no marks." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a there is a decided draught." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front companion. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which forbidden door. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is bearing upon the case." standing smiling on the door-step. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" gbnewby@pglaf.org hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his eyes and forehead. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many The telegram which we eventually received came late one night endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "BALLARAT." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "It is a murder, then?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and put his glass in his pocket. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she keep the flames under. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in most interesting one." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can notes," he said. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to go into your room and bar your shutters?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I think that I could be of assistance to you." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Of Friday, June 19th." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it this man was intellectual?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to giving me time to thank him. "None." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a purpose of examination. presume?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had out of this horrible affair." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Just look it up, then." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "She will not sell." stammered. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an disturbance in my wife." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My as he remarks, very much against the son." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a sofa. This way, please!" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the matter over." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." License. You must require such a user to return or sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this in this way: Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a them present such singular features as the strange train of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Perhaps I have." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with was shining brightly. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "The murder was done with it." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of just called myself is not exactly my own." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm overpowering excitement and concern. of." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out