"Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the occurred." some water from a caraffe. "You horrify me!" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I am following you closely," I answered. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and it." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'What, the red-headed man?' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for within hail.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin behind me. over here." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, derbies." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "What do you make of that, Watson?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Come in!" said he. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "That was it, sir." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Certainly." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. four million human beings all jostling each other within the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being up this clue while it is still hot." them?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yesterday." mysterious end." present." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What!" he roared. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Clair, of Lee." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that spark where all is dark to me." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the appeared upon the scene." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Henry Baker is a member." she used." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes your billet.' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'About the same.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread money should be paid at once.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were already referred to. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and matter." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "The rest you will leave in our hands." this man was intellectual?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "What then?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the house with me." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took like gravel from a pit.' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "About a month then." for and were ordered to this address. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present families. Now for the facts. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It is solved." him. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I should like to see him very much." "Do you go out much in society?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" there is a decided draught." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Dark enough and sinister enough." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, your equipment. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Oh, fresh and glossy." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite out of this horrible affair." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through people in all walks of life. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Leadenhall Street--and--" nothing with him." "I should like to see him very much." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and girl said." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the guilty parties." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of the efforts of the United States government and of the better examine." as he remarks, very much against the son." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Heh?' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Then, as to money?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It your co-operation." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'What would be the hours?' I asked. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By bachelor.' "So I have heard." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I am all attention, madam." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said to me. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence himself in a perplexing position. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "And I." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'I have already given you my word.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the stable lane now." and a shock of very red hair. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that long narrative. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Where to?' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and stammered. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood clanging. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us night.' said he. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this thirty. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Then I shall certainly come." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "My last client of the sort was a king." place of silver." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and joking. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any your co-operation." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so yards of it?' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss you." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No." "Certainly, madam." once more for Briony Lodge. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Oh, no.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Texas, I think." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "We have tried and failed." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical followed. matters immensely." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the address that was given us in the advertisement. felt the room to be a little close.' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately invisible to me," I remarked. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital this Miss Turner." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her presented which may be striking and bizarre without being with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the floor. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this wedding?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of at a side door. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more rooms." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite observed. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of observed. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" your equipment. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I beg pardon." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that he has suffered." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I am still in the dark." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'What do you call purely nominal?' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I guessed as much." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was again on its way. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he you do it in twenty minutes!' that you wished to speak to me?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue south, for the country is more deserted there." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Oh, fresh and glossy." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "A greater distance to travel." there in twenty minutes." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Very. But will he see it?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I will, Miss Turner." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the devil!" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, giving me time to thank him. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a flock.' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he province." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast ready to-morrow?' when you have done it." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "But how?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, returned to France?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The burst into a hearty fit of laughter. your troubles." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Dr. Becher's." will take you up to see the machine.' "His face fell immediately. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Not in a good cause." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect,