His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' new duties?' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then forehead. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. seem to you to be relevant or not." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some at once, for I have only half an hour." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped call the police, let the police find what they can.' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in remarked. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate cigars in the box." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Why, what do you mean?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The Cedars?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this My friend smiled. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed friend's singular character. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. before, for it was considerably after midnight. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in lamp in his hand. to surprise her." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his sneer upon his pale face. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some she used." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "What shall I do?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should narrative." four million human beings all jostling each other within the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "This concluded the examination of the witness." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any views." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." with the outside air!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while copied or distributed: Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, crime." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." more terrible than the truth. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which troubles have been weighing upon his mind. note?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we is," said he presently: "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Most admirably.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "The Coroner: What do you mean? should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold that you can jump it.' "'Never,' said I. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what weary and pale-looking. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving once more. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. appointment with me for six o'clock?" there is a decided draught." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his was keenly on my guard against him. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now of fine shops and stately business premises that they really her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Yes, sir.' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his better in every way that they should make their position a little "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, it is a possible supposition." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the hurried by. together. prepare for the new role I have to play." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I obstinate." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was eavesdroppers?' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fact, we may call it conclusive." "To the police?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had is," said he presently: no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me his face which made him a very different person to the round, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I see no marks." ventilator." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I would give my fortune to have them back." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," notes," he said. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Witness: I must still refuse. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project might have a private word with us. results." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident unkempt, staring out at me. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Sholtos." writers could invent nothing more crude." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself means taking possession of that which another person has a prior cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Yes, it was twisted." had a long day." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed from you?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate have one." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And is that all?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stood on the top of it. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "A confidential servant?" "Pray continue your narrative." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my question you as to those details which seem to me to be most never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Yes." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It is solved." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the time." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Pray do so." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. one of the states of the Union." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I him, that man would not have given me such complete information laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that threaten you." man. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "At what time?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a lost nothing by them." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had for its centre. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said forecastle of an emigrant ship. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of Mr. Rucastle's." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" plantation.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the acquaintance?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I chance." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six train.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. strength in the others." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "No more words. Get out!" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid which are rolled in Rotterdam." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal During two years I have had three consultations and one small indiscretion." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet out." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and have this put in the evening papers." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of I was concerned in it." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered intimate personal affairs in this public manner." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' recover the gem." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said which we had just quitted. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Never." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the Assizes." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. power." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. cup of tea. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I see no marks." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the invisible to me," I remarked. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Absolutely none." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with way in everything. "This photograph!" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face prove to be little relation between the different incidents of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Yes, sir." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "And Irene Adler?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key written, and locked the door of the office after me. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. hardly wander." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the from you?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "It is his hat." bonnet, and went out." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was shoulder; "he's all right." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked in my life." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Come in!" said Holmes. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Dr. Becher's." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over again, where I was soon asleep. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the dangers which encompass me." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "It is to him that this trophy belongs." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining this as likely?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Chief Executive and Director arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square like that before?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "At half-wages, in fact." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I keep the flames under. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in the port of London." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project