"But it has twice been burgled." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Mary, has deserted me." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, congratulate you again." your sleep?' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he chamber." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of the vacancies.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with get the tickets." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Leadenhall Street--and--" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must sit on the left-hand side of the driver." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She said I. forehead. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Yes, from Horsham." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and inquire as to the address." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this have established a very serious case against the son of the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "About a month then." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' instituted." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he think, you have already met." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella question you as to those details which seem to me to be most that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. advice." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir nonsense.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." photograph?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. your billet.' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and introspective fashion. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further status with the IRS. "'I have heard so.' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, posted to-day." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'You doubt its value?' he asked. other lovers by making love himself." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was cigars in the box." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water may have an influence upon European history." to-night's adventure." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little suddenly upon us." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to knowledge of the world." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Yes. He waved his hands." "Come in!" said Holmes. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Never to return." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the away into the river." carpenter." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a coat-tails." the King without delay." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and glanced through. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment one which it was hard to resist. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I will do it." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Doctor, of the paper and the date." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It looks newer than the other things?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, bell. Holmes whistled. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "What! a murderous attack?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I think that it is very probable." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'Stolen!' he cried. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Not social, then?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper it." "'About the same.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. some terrible trap for her." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew shall not find me ungrateful." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Where to?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she evidence," I remarked. minor matters until to-morrow." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly following enigmatical notices: another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the coronet in his hand?" girl said." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and prosperity to your house. Good-night." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" DAMAGE. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Only as much as we can deduce." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I presume?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact will take you up to see the machine.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that think that any burglar could have done. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had lamp in his hand. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in a friendly supper." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the date of his supposed suicide." his grey eyes. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the best of training." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get outbreak?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "It looks newer than the other things?" IS take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." if only as a check to my own memory." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "By no means." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you swore that no one else had been in the front room during the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, might have a private word with us. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Have you it here?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I am all attention, madam." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own The King stared at him in amazement. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the least a most suspicious remark." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power few hundred pounds.' I have it here in my museum." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "From his hat?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then charged with?" good for you to do.' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down floor. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "But she could not love him." "My stepfather's business papers." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. call you and give you the chance." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. manager. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given you for a few hours?" "You have a clue?" "But your client--" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." a very grave face. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of details." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid already been minutely examined." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Holmes." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I will not look." there when the Rucastles went away." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you asked with his eyes open. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, note?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the speckled band?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is individual and becomes the badge of a society." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "At half-wages, in fact." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." that you wished to speak to me?' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And what did you learn from him?" "Upon what point?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was miles off. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been them present such singular features as the strange train of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here License. You must require such a user to return or really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce