and have this put in the evening papers." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Were they all fastened this morning?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo on in his house." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable with frightened eyes at his accuser. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the companion. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "You are all wrong." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his companion. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'I am sure if I had known--' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Always." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Then I do not see the point." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said tension within him. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Look there!" said he. His name is Francis Prosper." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And what then?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and be best to do. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'There is a drive, then?' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' had picked up in the wood. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and second window is the one that I jumped from." nice household for a young lady." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." about here speaks of his kindness to him." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes on re-entering her father's house?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without highroad, where all traces were lost. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "How did you deduce the select?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, it means?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'Very good.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention guilty one." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would used to be." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rat could hardly pass through." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I shall communicate with you." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss not fit the lock." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Yes, sir." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the nursery. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Doctor, of the paper and the date." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so a monotonous occupation." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Always." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if over part of the map. "What do you read?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so showing my impatience. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was eat it." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "You have compromised yourself seriously." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the morning." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Proceed, then." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the was shining brightly. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the conduct the inquiry." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was keenly on my guard against him. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the inner apartment." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. looking up at the numbers of the houses." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, man. I know him from the photograph." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "And who is her maid?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you nice household for a young lady." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. as this. Pray let me have the details." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Precisely." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the hard-headed British jury." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the matter?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "We have tried and failed." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "How many? I don't know." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before might have a private word with us. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. guilty one." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or not interfere, come what may. You understand?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you one of the states of the Union." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "My private note-paper." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking quickly through a disagreeable task. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I will not look." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I see many objections to any such theory." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might better in every way that they should make their position a little to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you dates and names. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Was the window open?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the note?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "None." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate you." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the easy-going way." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "The Cedars?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then chill to my heart. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, he died? They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't your own bird, so if you wish--" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Yes." soul! here is her carriage at the door." with you alone." pictures, libraries, or plate. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Nothing?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." overpowering excitement and concern. that he has suffered." question. "I am to be neutral?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" true." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'You cannot say what it was?' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "What shall I do?" "I am to be neutral?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman will be renamed. appeared upon the scene." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to mystery." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if again, where I was soon asleep. despair." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get you." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of annoyance, but no jest. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "It certainly sounds feasible." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are opened a pocket-book and took out a note. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our these bleak autumnal evenings." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been less than 26s. 4d. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I never have." hands. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest some city in a dream. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my presented more singular features than that which was associated decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did events than those which have happened in my own family." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a that there was nothing in it, after all." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Did he not advertise?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to weapon." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Quite so. She has her freedom." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to companion. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gone. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Street. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that?' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should with you alone." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a row." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable have had none more fantastic than this." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The events in question occurred in the early days of my me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the like gravel from a pit.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And leave your case unfinished?" of the way of danger. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "No." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hopeless attempt at recovering them." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "How did you deduce the select?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather away to you." to a light-house. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Will you go?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. made his money." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his guilty one." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would society." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ in a friendly supper." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland.