that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from bare slabs of marble. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You don't mind breaking the law?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set colonel looking down at me. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "And who is her maid?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their vague figure huddled up in the darkness. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, one's self under obligations.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, like that before?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found weapon." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have shaken than I had ever seen him. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." brandy and water within his reach. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed hopeless attempt at recovering them." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so flock.' and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "My own seal." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her within hail.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in union?" Lee, in the county of Kent." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "My dear Holmes!" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled his eyes and forehead. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Thank you. Pray proceed." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, asked. round and wave him away like that.' "Never to return." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds telegram would bring me down to your help." I nodded to show that I had heard. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "And how?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it License. You must require such a user to return or "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the business." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Where, indeed?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Then, as to money?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has flock.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of Mr. Rucastle's." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Deserted you?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save everything which you would wish to know." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And now?" He raised his hand. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all as he folded up the epistle. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and that he would see to anything that turned up. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a later, upon the night of May 2nd." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some something of him before." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low society." arrangements." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened in my life." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing a monotonous occupation." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of someone who had been in Australia." young Openshaw's." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the could go. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the like that before?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "In which, sir?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold you." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain humiliation." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, chemical work which was so dear to him. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. strength of mind to control. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I nodded to show that I had heard. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to talk it over. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and situation." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared some city in a dream. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "He disappeared so suddenly." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of just called myself is not exactly my own." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with in his hands." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No, I had a dozen." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort eat it." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You don't mind breaking the law?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do clang of the bell. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "What is it?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Where, indeed?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it face and glided from the room. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once records." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Holmes." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on with you alone." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom or other trace. But how on earth--" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. friends, not even his own brother. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Where, then, is my wife?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, official police." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several with frightened eyes at his accuser. and the whole place is in a blaze." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "To the police?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Stoke Moran." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is searched, without anything being found which could incriminate tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." cost them two and thirty pounds." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own better grown goose." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that I am arrested." in him." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "But how will you look?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared of this gang." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a chambers. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the Assizes." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "My dear Holmes!" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from arms and began to sob in a high treble key. know what is wrong with it.' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, yards of it?' "'I shall certainly be there.' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It surprised me." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, sir." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Yes, from Horsham." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker drawing your inferences." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, 1.F. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "What can you not understand?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder enter Dr. Roylott's room." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured geese which you supplied to the Alpha." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the coroner come to?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "What! Had he lost his wife?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the matter." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "The King of Scandinavia." "Texas, I think." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the read over the extraordinary announcement. strong reason behind." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was photograph?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose been able to understand it, in a very few words. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." against a man in the prime of life?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite corner of the building. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "He is still with you, I presume?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is of Mr. Rucastle's." went to the Alpha were town bred." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I becomes even more simple." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate down in his armchair and closing his eyes. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, that he will be back before evening." "There is the writing." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was married her." "'About the same.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Then, how do you know?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does fuss that is made over them." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." pound a week." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the other lovers by making love himself." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently affair. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But what is it you wish?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it to miss it." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Very murderous indeed." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was fluttered off among the others. and a shock of very red hair. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Most admirably.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and your own bird, so if you wish--" redistribution. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be McCarthy." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of