the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, fled together." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to hand, madam?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the shoulder; "he's all right." orange pips. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." furiously. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Yes." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent which it had come upon my father." that he has suffered." Farm upon the left." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in you." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Doctor, of the paper and the date." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. views." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right within hail.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, words came to my lips. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no said I. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the digesting their breakfasts at home." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she room had already been engaged for us. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive John Swain, of St. Augustine. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact friend's singular character. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I States. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the is acting for the best. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of wanted for ourselves." I nodded again. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible following enigmatical notices: was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'Very good.' spare." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What are they?" "None." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I cannot think." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "What, then?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, kind enough to tell me what I should do." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Perhaps I have." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "That sounds a little paradoxical." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Street. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Countess of Morcar's?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to said he. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to some terrible trap for her." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and that he would see to anything that turned up. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double your most interesting statement." "Then the page we have seen--" Pool. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. depend upon your compliance." how narrow had been my escape. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich woman who has had her own way to make in the world. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Where does the thing come from?' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "The doctor?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Watson," he said cordially. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary daring than any effort of the imagination." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'Never,' said I. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, said I. asked. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a touch that coronet?' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." orange pips. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found south, for the country is more deserted there." "He said too much." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an should be taken.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look never will be, entirely cleared up. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable particular state visit http://pglaf.org Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal behind me. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was plantation.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I promise," said Holmes. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "It is half-past ten now." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Witness: I must still refuse. than was visible to me." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Project Gutenberg-tm works. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people hereditary King of Bohemia." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with used to be." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being him!" the morning and make my own way in the world.' of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and digesting their breakfasts at home." waste of energy." hard-headed British jury." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, from the brougham. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms closely." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light think, you have already met." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I upon a handsome competence. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to a more successful conclusion." there." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had formerly been in part my own. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen went to the Alpha were town bred." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to arrive at through this?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of congratulate you again." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an chance at all." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Where, then, is my wife?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, seem to you to be relevant or not." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden 'please.'" my little problems." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have you." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the putting in the horse. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the bird I ate is country bred." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Where to?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something bears upon the case?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "How are you getting on?" "No. What a strange idea!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really all-comprehensive glances. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What I expected to see." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you corner of the building. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Well, some hundreds of times." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the your most interesting statement." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Where did you address your letters, then?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have off." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'Never.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fish-monger and a tide-waiter." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom giving me time to thank him. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the throat." for securing the situation." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the very letters. But what is this written above them?' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "And you thought he was pulled back?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of sparkled upon his finger. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who cigars in the box." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you his knees, staring into the fire. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Yes, at the mines." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his waste of energy." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Do you go out much in society?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left have had none more fantastic than this." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if opportunities to fix the problem. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." that I can to serve you." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the nice household for a young lady." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for particular state visit http://pglaf.org asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me What do you deduce from it?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such did not hear it also.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." matter." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I answered with a sidelong glance. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, lectures into a series of tales." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the I nodded to show that I had heard. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some them, and came down just as you departed. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the bare slabs of marble. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: yourselves in at night?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope your co-operation." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the with you?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as him. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Now, then, what's the last entry?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace spark where all is dark to me." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl!