to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Dr. Becher's." Munro.' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Where, then, is my wife?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many it." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and brain must have something in it." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I http://gutenberg.net/license). make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue house for five minutes.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing three of the beryls in it, was missing. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done bedroom door." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "But what will you do?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Doctor, of the paper and the date." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I would pay ten." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Quite so. She has her freedom." sufficient punishment." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "He said that you could solve anything." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming me where it went to?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a one's self under obligations.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last copied or distributed: very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Henry Baker is a member." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "And how have you succeeded?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "No, but the enclosure is." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a never will be, entirely cleared up. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "What, then, did Peterson do?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of a light. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses go back?" "But she will refuse." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Very truly yours, "He slept on the premises." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the inquest, and which are worth considering." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Why, what do you mean?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but My friend smiled. tell them apart.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" spare." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a strength in the others." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and McCarthy's innocence. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Serpentine Avenue. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, late!' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It is true that I have been generally successful." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a fear." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Is purely nominal.' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' not personally threatened." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "But he might be a bachelor." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fuss that is made over them." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and whole matter to your consideration." vanished into the darkness. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." during which he might have communicated with his friend the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the writers could invent nothing more crude." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "The vanishing of the lady." to-night." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal retorted upon me, and I on you." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Yes.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, remarked. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner could gather together that I was able to avert another public matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers whether it answered to the description of any of their that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all indeed which he could not unravel. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one drawing your inferences." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered go back?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the for securing the situation." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself call the police, let the police find what they can.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I will not look." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Then I do not see the point." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and really the only notable feature about the thing." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I am following you closely," I answered. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the matter." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight was it brought him the coronet? At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for call for protection in the marriage market, for the present 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive time." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." is a common subject for conversation. "'What, the red-headed man?' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, thin legs towards the fire. guilty one." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my particular state visit http://pglaf.org tapping his fingers upon the table. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And your mother is alive?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. populous neighbourhood." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, present." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower daring than any effort of the imagination." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a certainly do as you advise." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Very good.' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "The doctor?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I cannot tell." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Married! When?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly vague figure huddled up in the darkness. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as front of the hall door has given its name to the place. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And on what day did he meet his death?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "And why?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, nights." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I used to be." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get who was a member of your goose club." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be later, upon the night of May 2nd." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is on re-entering her father's house?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was garden below. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I came to find a friend." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another our word." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he dramatic, in fact." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and best detective that ever lived. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "And did you observe any change in her then?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Not in the least." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg stammered. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent maid will bring up your coffee." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Dark enough and sinister enough." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I saw her in conversation with her maid." written. kindly on the shoulder. "You forget that I know nothing about it." recover the gem." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ceremony." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a nonsense.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action annoyance, but no jest. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Can I be of assistance?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the coronet at all injured?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "It is possible." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was not a bird to be seen there. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at more terrible than the truth. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the dangers which encompass me." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Stolen!' he cried. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the trifles." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort mystery!" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'What do you call purely nominal?' Henry Baker is a member." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I shall communicate with you." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "It is true that I have been generally successful." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and call you and give you the chance." breakfast?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not may have an influence upon European history."