distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than of note-paper. It read in this fashion: with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat But Holmes shook his head gravely. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." strength of mind to control. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of whereabouts. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers London for the present?" the coroner come to?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "He is still with you, I presume?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "She will not sell." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are if I call to-morrow?" results." "But what harm can there be in that?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he long narrative. whole matter to your consideration." "'Ten to two.' towards the blaze. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of said he. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "You did not overhear what they said?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the legal crime." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel been." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "It is his hat." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few shoulder. not come at once?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. room. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Entirely.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming train.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "What then?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this sparkled upon his finger. late." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I was mad--insane." "You have the photograph?" companion quietly. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. is a common subject for conversation. yards of it?' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous golden eyeglasses. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." o'clock is it?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I am in hopes that she does." outside." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm a little more before I quite committed myself. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Your French gold?" vault. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it bell. Holmes whistled. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, your troubles." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "One horse?" interjected Holmes. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that you can jump it.' people don't know." was a lad." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his danger is over." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had detective. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the coronet at all injured?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, learned something! Where are the gems?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked in your London, you will know that the office of the company is girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I approached. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never think you a quite exceptional woman." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "What will you do, then?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "The Cedars?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Has he come with you to-night?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such this unhappy family?" "I will, Miss Turner." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has before, for it was considerably after midnight. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Deserted you?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "An accident, I presume?" purpose of examination. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But how did you gain them?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his long narrative. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the in the dead of the night?' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that I may have something better before very many minutes are room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Why serious?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort singular points about the case. What did the police think of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Entirely." hour?' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his beg that you will break it off." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "About a month then." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I nodded to show that I had heard. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE gentleman's clothes. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did it means?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, becomes even more simple." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "It is very kind of you." good for you to do.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. matter." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "To the police?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Seven!" I answered. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor himself to tell his story. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of ventilator." child?' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your amused." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "What! Had he lost his wife?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a wedding?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "You horrify me!" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the house with me." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "The vanishing of the lady." asked with his eyes open. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry to some other building. yourselves in at night?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "To the police?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Precisely." the night.' weighed down with some great anxiety. the Assizes." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. bill, which interests me deeply." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an begin with, and I had not got mine yet." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "It was." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Never." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Well." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Tired-looking or fresh?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "No good news?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the were wasted." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I back to my heart. "I shall be delighted." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to at my remark. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Where does the thing come from?' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "No?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "What have you to say now?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be your room." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "My own seal." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the driver. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "My private note-paper." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" conduct the inquiry." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I will get her to show me." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "It is very kind of you." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking your only hope of safety." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You have the photograph?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Absolutely none." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite these bleak autumnal evenings." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR silent! Oh, he will be silent!' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." one of the states of the Union." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten noise which awoke you from your sleep?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I passage and a tap at the door. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up any more." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the Assizes." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the little trying to do so much typewriting?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the bed, and you in that chair." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless