is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. upon a handsome competence. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the II. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "No bad?" long narrative. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into said Mr. Holder. but preventing her from injuring another. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with constraint." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. it." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, showing my impatience. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Certainly." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. matter." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the this remarkable episode. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the during that time.' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal morning." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the address that was given us in the advertisement. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "By no means." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to so.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and McCarthy." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to a light-house. examine." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a him!" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most God! What an exposure! What can I do?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "And your father? Did you tell him?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "And you don't know his address?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "One of the highest in England." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that before taking the final step I should like to submit the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this jewels which you have stolen?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their sparkled upon his finger. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Chief Executive and Director "I would pay ten." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds which I could not give. He asked for Alice. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I have a cab outside." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small my secret was safe in his possession. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It is true that I have been generally successful." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Here?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any was used.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his at home. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "My own seal." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, forecastle of an emigrant ship. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the salesman. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "But she could not love him." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to bonnet, and went out." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than where we are going." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Quite sure, dad.' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she coat-tails." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Why did you pick him?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "At half-wages, in fact." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the go--none." "A call for help, you thought?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It was." I am not easy in my mind about them." situation." "Can I be of assistance?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution experiences." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You evidence," I remarked. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "It was an hour's good drive." think that any burglar could have done. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Absolutely?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in this way: as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if know that the truth is known." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg a room. name is different." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Precisely." examine." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "He said too much." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The plantation.' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond will he say when he returns?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You think that he is dead?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And did you observe any change in her then?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But what is it you wish?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "How about poison?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting anything to do with the matter?" think, you have already met." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "No." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the in a friendly supper." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to me. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I second." late." closely." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the loss of it. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she furiously. be. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most people don't know." the child." open." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I should be immensely obliged to you." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "My last client of the sort was a king." disappearance of these gems?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet any." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to memory. ran thus: drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling disappearance of the bride.'" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "What! You do not mean bodies?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'What do you call purely nominal?' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become clanging. "I answered that I had not. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Was there a secret marriage?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the eat it." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges vague figure huddled up in the darkness. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I assist you in forming an opinion." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Did he not advertise?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are were new raised from a basin. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity tension within him. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "You are all wrong." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" directly by questioning you." my secret was safe in his possession. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Yes, he did." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time way in." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I say it is." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and have this put in the evening papers." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, question. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "In which, sir?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and business matters.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Was he the only applicant?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Munro.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I cannot think." "And the cigar-holder?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for place no limit on the sum I may draw." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to you." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers address. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The never will be, entirely cleared up. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "A greater distance to travel." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, ready to-morrow?' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the