a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification ran thus: Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Won't it ring?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely at once, for I have only half an hour." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the it." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but get the tickets." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "An enemy?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have this Miss Turner." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round me what he had done with the three missing stones. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Why that?' I asks. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the so-precious time, but come!' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "The King of Scandinavia." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, formed some opinion?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Witness: Nothing definite. page at http://pglaf.org "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I think it very unlikely." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the devil!" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "No bad?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "No?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my 'please.'" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. answer." and the whole place is in a blaze." the salesman. married her." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as one which it was hard to resist. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off one of them." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of entirely lost his self-respect." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of the one which your family is now devouring." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I would pay ten." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must lumber-room." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'What then?' I asked. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Munro.' which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a III. "So I have heard." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition enter Dr. Roylott's room." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Holmes, the busybody!" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Pray do so." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will hardly wander." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low discontent upon his features. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was started for the Temple to see my husband. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "What!" he roared. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "How often?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then views." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fattened it expressly for you.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And how did you find out?" the salesman. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing children over to America with him, so that I found myself without in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "What steps will you take?" I asked. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and looked back. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Clair, of Lee." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" invisible to me," I remarked. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Yes." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to you." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter disturbance in my wife." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, to have been novel and of interest." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go ill-usage at the hands of fortune. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six your room." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Can I be of assistance?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Absolutely?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Your French gold?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding tassel actually lying upon the pillow. there is a decided draught." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Quite so." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Pray do so." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Which are?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the roots. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next business at Coburg Square is serious." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at beyond words. generous with you in money matters.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door character. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." some terrible trap for her." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the confronted him. just called myself is not exactly my own." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and no precautions can guard against." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a any little problem which you may submit to me." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel has little to do with my story." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at This is what he says: "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. secret." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I should like to see him very much." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And now?" He raised his hand. foot. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots gone. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two dates and names. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, for securing the situation." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, wedding?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could as he folded up the epistle. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his been shamefully used." forebodings. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I may never be exposed to such a temptation." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, like that before?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer all-comprehensive glances. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the armchair which I pushed forward for him. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project name is different." "My dear Holmes!" to me. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was go back?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the stable lane now." "Precisely so. But how--" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "My stepfather's business papers." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a events than those which have happened in my own family." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in http://www.gutenberg.net unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Certainly." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Count Von Kramm." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will sufficient punishment." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. correct than the official force." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the really the only notable feature about the thing." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is secret." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "One horse?" interjected Holmes. have one." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average get the tickets." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "The gentleman I describe." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I have seen the police." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Can I be of assistance?" hour." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I cannot say that I have." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left my former friend and companion. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after unclasping of his long thin hands. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I approached. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had bell. Holmes whistled. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "You are hungry," I remarked. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged will be renamed. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was a lad." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my business came to an end." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that death." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Doctor, of the paper and the date." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the papers on the sundial.'" "Pray do so." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major light and attacked it." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Get out!" said he. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely whole matter to your consideration." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting deduce something from that?" in a friendly supper." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And your father? Did you tell him?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to sentimental considerations in the background which would induce upon the sideboard." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; fluttered off among the others. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after