"Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the warnings." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "What! You do not mean bodies?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. had a long day." bonnet, and went out." instituted." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." confronted him. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while do.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The are windows in it, of course?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion murdered man." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Where, indeed?" enough to aid us in our search." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "No." "He is dead," cried several voices. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Nothing." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural particular state visit http://pglaf.org face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'Never.' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her fuss that is made over them." the station." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses of the one which your family is now devouring." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which photograph a cabinet?" very morning of my second wedding." hour." "What of the rat, then?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'There is a drive, then?' DAMAGE. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low window when the police appeared." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her off." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the stones. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "My dear Holmes!" there when the Rucastles went away." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Never,' said I. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Count Von Kramm." just called myself is not exactly my own." what do you think they found in the pockets?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and main points of my analysis." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "None." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Then he might have called to you?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. bare slabs of marble. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a have established a very serious case against the son of the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless of receipt of the work. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across there!' and capable of preserving a secret.' "Only as much as we can deduce." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set was a perfect sample of the class. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." flock.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Not in the least." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Mrs. Toller serenely. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "He said too much." occurred." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the papers." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I should like to see him very much." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." there when the Rucastles went away." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first appeared upon the scene." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see friends, not even his own brother. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding where Mr. Fordham shows you.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the to take care of herself." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the cause to be." goes." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was John Swain, of St. Augustine. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo upon a handsome competence. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the as yours." lips." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked ordinary clothes on?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. gives a meaning to it." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Of what day?" records." and the colonel ushered me in. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "That is possible." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this drove away. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second should be so warm over such a trifle." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the little adventures." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her at once, for I have only half an hour." "This photograph!" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united begun to whiten, even as mine has." you." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled it? Did I buy the geese off you?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to a light-house. in the hope of finding them." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your tail." rat could hardly pass through." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Was there a secret marriage?" Holmes' room. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before your bag." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Entirely." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by o'clock is it?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had locked. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, has little to do with my story." wanted for ourselves." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no knowledge of the world." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It round and wave him away like that.' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of the way of danger. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Certainly, madam." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That have got?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which was lame." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Yes. He waved his hands." the devil!" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Game for a morning drive?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I some terrible trap for her." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "How long did she speak to this Alice?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found away to you." fled together." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the date of his supposed suicide." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I do." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Then let me do so?' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would bird of prey. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I was sure that I might rely on you." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And the cigar-holder?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you like that before?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Oh, fresh and glossy." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! fuss that is made over them." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me developed." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. started for the Temple to see my husband. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes, he did." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Witness: It was. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who page at http://pglaf.org willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from character. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it emerged. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "What office?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the wife's character?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the dangers which encompass me." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up article?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We IS "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Never." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised families. Now for the facts. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted comes from the middle window." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." maiden herself was most instructive." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." some city in a dream. "It is half-past ten now." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "In San Francisco, a year ago." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate because she had spent so short a time in this country that she brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of you." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at outbreak?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of child?' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting prepare for the new role I have to play." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Ample.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Certainly." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall had no one to advise her at such a crisis." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to hour." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "And your father? Did you tell him?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "The Coroner: What do you mean? bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got conceal it?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Well, some hundreds of times." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I shall most certainly do so." to-night's adventure." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a only touch the interest." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat fasten all the windows?" fact, we may call it conclusive." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A what is your own theory as to what took place?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Absolutely none." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the might help us?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you in the dead of the night?' "The Cedars?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes, certainly." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. charged with?" might have a private word with us. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are