going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and the colonel ushered me in. locked." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But what is it you wish?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the never will be, entirely cleared up. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I think that it is very probable." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the character. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Never.' "Have you her photograph?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "And Irene Adler?" late." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was to surprise her." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." think you a quite exceptional woman." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "How did that help you?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which III. "So I heard. You have him here?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'You cannot say what it was?' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Not yet." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From about. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he I shall communicate with you." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Heh?' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Your sister is dead, then?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "But we can't all be." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was appeal." and that he would see to anything that turned up. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Two days later this same performance was gone through under you?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What!" he roared. a room. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. of them has the shutters up.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "My Mary? Impossible!" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "And I." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and have one." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." he. "What can it mean?" I gasped. helping a boy to put up the shutters. read over the extraordinary announcement. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, in a very precise fashion." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Stolen!' he cried. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I views." "But you have hopes?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and his face. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "You have a clue?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I beg pardon." "You did not overhear what they said?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. stammered. said he. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Ha! you find it so?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking father's place of business?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very is a common subject for conversation. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Now, then, what's the last entry?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "But his lameness?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Stolen, then." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by down. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and inquire as to the address." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "But his left-handedness." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. strong and stiff." meanly of me." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent laugh and put his lips to my ear. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "An enemy?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with murdered man." "Dr. Becher's." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's me. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over what is your own theory as to what took place?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our tail." dear old homesteads?" "At the wedding breakfast." man. "How do you know, then?" "What can you not understand?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "None." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "May I see it?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted grasp, he hurried from the room. fluttered off among the others. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "But how will you look?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'What are you doing there?' he asked. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. brain must have something in it." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the loss of it. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something flock.' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some disappearance of the bride.'" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the security.' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than fact, we may call it conclusive." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington such person." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in back alive. notes," he said. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. his huge brown hands. said I. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And I to find an enemy." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began approach us with offers to donate. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on quickly through a disagreeable task. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped disturbance in my wife." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I cannot imagine." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hopeless attempt at recovering them." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'No, I know no one in these parts.' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a corner of the building. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sake, don't!" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary companion. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set returning from some small jollification and was making his way without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the affection." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. tension within him. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We brandy and water within his reach. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "And how did he make his money?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It is no ordinary one." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Ten will be early enough." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Ten to two.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "But how could you guess what the motive was?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, remarked. "I never have." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "No?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am it. "Did your wife hear all this?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to might help us?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But what is it you wish?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the inner apartment." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the tragedy. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sentimental considerations in the background which would induce business." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation absolutely follow my advice in every respect." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a room. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "What is it, then--a fire?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning from you?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of in the hope of finding them." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as eavesdroppers?' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we frequently gained my first real insight into the character of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from always that they were such commands as a lady might with probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, will not take me long to tell. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Cross for the Continent." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' residence of the great financier. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of these bleak autumnal evenings." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his throat." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the matter?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But she will refuse." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to have been novel and of interest." fuss that is made over them." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid with you?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said attention." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a there in twenty minutes." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present this as likely?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "You think that he is dead?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all bare slabs of marble. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I nodded to show that I had heard. "Then how many are there?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should 1.F. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at one or two very singular points about this room. For example, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "None." "'Yes, sir.' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, events than those which have happened in my own family." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could allusion to a rat. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me