"Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "By no means." For additional contact information: 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I shall be delighted." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that you wished to speak to me?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. help us in this matter." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "But how did you gain them?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four figure." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever likely to be some crony of the landlady's." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper very morning of my second wedding." politicians who had been sent down from the North. said I. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. them present such singular features as the strange train of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "But his lameness?" "I am in hopes that she does." asked. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Did you observe the colour?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible case before our client came into the room." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, ready to-morrow?' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is putting in the horse. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more to talk it over. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I morning." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you fishes. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and might help us?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "No, finished." instincts rose up against that laugh. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'There is a drive, then?' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I was sure that I might rely on you." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which question. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the off." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as such person." orange pips. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles whereabouts. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, room. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. never came back." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few without success. At last the little money which I had saved began throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in again on its way. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign locked." Literary Archive Foundation "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Leadenhall Street--and--" that A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile not personally threatened." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "The doctor?" Holmes' face clouded over. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices your bag." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was a loud and authoritative tap. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and foresight and the moral retrogression?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And when will you call?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was John Swain, of St. Augustine. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I intrusion of other matters." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that that I may have something better before very many minutes are his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and later, upon the night of May 2nd." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you astonishment. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Yes, it would be as well." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Yes." words came to my lips. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon companion imperturbably. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, believe that I should never have any practice at all. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are lectures into a series of tales." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his grey eyes. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Dr. Gregory B. Newby was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Quite sure, dad.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my you came in." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was not within a twentieth part of the market price." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. it." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple points to suicide?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads up this clue while it is still hot." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so companion quietly. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who been." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I am about to be married." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "And the cigar-holder?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'And the work?' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and case before our client came into the room." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "So I am. Very much so." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open perplexity from it to my illustrious client. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'Certainly,' I answered. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes with frightened eyes at his accuser. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not village inn over there?" disappearance of the bride.'" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Miss Holder?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "You have the photograph?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that ways of our fellow-men." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Very good.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" always that they were such commands as a lady might with found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' gone before you can get him to hospital." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this back to my heart. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just jewels which you have stolen?' "Ten will be early enough." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson with frightened eyes at his accuser. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes dates and names. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to go into your room and bar your shutters?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the coat-tails." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while done what I asked you, Jones?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Did you observe the colour?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I think that it is very probable." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, manager. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "But she could not love him." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." introspective fashion. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had matters immensely." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Well, some hundreds of times." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Breckinridge is his name." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter unprofitable." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather mystery may be cleared along those lines." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper do.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "That is also quite modern," said the lady. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was were wasted." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he died? for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I have seen the police." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his do you make of it all?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her clang of the bell. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Yes, he did." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the morning." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no