her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Game for a morning drive?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Was your sister dressed?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he himself in a perplexing position. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." careless servant girl?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "How do you know, then?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four pressing in one house as in another. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my these bleak autumnal evenings." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "How about poison?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of the vacancies.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Where could I find him?' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And when will you call?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." over with notes and figures. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are once more. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was key turn in the lock." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Most admirably.' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "So I have heard." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "He is still with you, I presume?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the devil!" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if awaited us upon the table. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'What do you call purely nominal?' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging likely to be some crony of the landlady's." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of dead, shall be safe with us." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." just called myself is not exactly my own." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. take the flies, but not before." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Is purely nominal.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have whether it answered to the description of any of their clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she business." Munro.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Bought." the one as in the other." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I have come for advice." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What have you to say now?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other bird I ate is country bred." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the bottom.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And why?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to said he. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "'Yes.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a chance." views." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. you in yours." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a sparkled upon his finger. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." back into the street. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And is that all?" "It looks newer than the other things?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "My photograph." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. himself to tell his story. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly salesman. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his once more. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and wedding?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "But how will you look?" instituted." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the habit of advancing money.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. directors, with the result that you have seen." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some mysterious business." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent nice household for a young lady." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "No." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "So I am. Very much so." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something The police have openly confessed that they can at present make entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official acquaintance?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He bled considerably." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had 'I should be able to look after that for you.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "In the cells." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be intrusion of other matters." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "What office?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are success. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a before the coroner and the police-court." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of his shoulders. future lives." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "How did you trace it, then?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and no precautions can guard against." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the galvanised. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Did you observe the colour?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and looked back. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Where does the thing come from?' "'What do you call purely nominal?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "In answer to an advertisement." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Then I can wait in the next room." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and man. I know him from the photograph." you?' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who nice household for a young lady." it means?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "If so, much may have happened between." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'I have heard so.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "What do you make of that, Watson?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no even of instruction." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with paper in the air. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I cannot tell." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there call it cruel." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had been." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it just ask you whether you had heard it.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away absorbing." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Really! You surprise me." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, recover the gem." your most interesting statement." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Where does the thing come from?' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely nonsense.' maid will bring up your coffee." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "But she could not love him." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it infinite languor in his face. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the room while you explain this matter?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You think so, too?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, it. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'And the work?' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words with you alone." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the child." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "If I can be of use." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the once more to my work. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so me have 200 pounds?' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was union?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can photograph?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to here." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and in the port of London." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "But we can't all be." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Stolen, then." wedding?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical