"I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an fashion which was peculiar to him. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter trying to your nerves." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "And Miss Sutherland?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Edgeware Road. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. than was visible to me." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Mrs. Toller serenely. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Pope's Court. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and the church but not where the lady lived." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "What office?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with tassel actually lying upon the pillow. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the call you and give you the chance." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and prison!" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the hour?' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all bill, which interests me deeply." "Married! When?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Come in!" said he. foot. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass narrative." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a for the market.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the outsides of the windows. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds train from Paddington which would bring you there at about was the fact that his father should, according to his account, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his away into the river." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Eyford at 11:15.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Seven!" I answered. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "To ruin me." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your distinguish the words: "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I cannot as yet see any connection." mystery." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to before the coroner and the police-court." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "He slept on the premises." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him eat it." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a have had none more fantastic than this." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to floor. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Watson," he said cordially. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Where is it, then?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is room. have I gained?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards on in his house." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally really the only notable feature about the thing." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Does that suggest anything?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "By train from Waterloo." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what me. You must get home instantly and act." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in outsides of the windows. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My an introduction to him?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I came to find a friend." "Very murderous indeed." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and wait." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. I was concerned in it." asked with his eyes open. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a unprofitable." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "So it appears." of them has the shutters up.' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I should be immensely obliged to you." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "My photograph." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and the church but not where the lady lived." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It is his hat." "You horrify me!" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of washing it down with a long draught of water. "Look there!" said he. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg conceal it?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from more solid." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "But you have hopes?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and glanced through. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I have it here in my museum." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. man. records." of receipt of the work. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and files of the old papers, following the future career of every You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of relief. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a drove away. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after peculiar to him. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Chief Executive and Director "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce British peeress.'" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." of your young ladies.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, went to the Alpha were town bred." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Very well, sir. And this stone?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. ceremony." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." his face. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against new duties?' few hundred pounds.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I will get her to show me." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to waste of energy." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a south, for the country is more deserted there." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and rooms." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those have an American origin." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "No legal papers or certificates?" "I am all attention, madam." he bowed and left the room without another word. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Certainly, madam." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." depend upon my doing so.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I cannot say that I have." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to infinite languor in his face. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door approach us with offers to donate. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and my friend's incisive reasoning. your sleep?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed my special province." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have pressing in one house as in another. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the correct than the official force." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about take the flies, but not before." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Yesterday." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Will you go?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "But you were on a friendly footing?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the running down." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "She will not sell." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not woman." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside do.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a photograph a cabinet?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been when your master had gone out." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, money should be paid at once.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "It is solved." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' companion. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of hurried by. will not take me long to tell. conceal it?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture outsides of the windows. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, miles off. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole do.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I warn you that they are very incomplete." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must other lovers by making love himself." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door better in every way that they should make their position a little as he folded up the epistle. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on good for you to do.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hopeless attempt at recovering them." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than other lovers by making love himself." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "The doctor?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. ordinary clothes on?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and the whole place is in a blaze." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon dramatic, in fact." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet once more on the important position which you have been fortunate would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Were they all fastened this morning?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out,