"If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been strange features which were associated with the two crimes which not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," burst into a hearty fit of laughter. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out some city in a dream. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has these bleak autumnal evenings." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could presume?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular friend's singular character. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for husband's writing, madam." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Ample.' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" his forehead." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from occupations.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he said I. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "From his hat?" I have it here in my museum." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Not in a good cause." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I have a cab outside." "That sounds a little paradoxical." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home than was visible to me." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It is very kind of you." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I see no marks." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my that there was nothing in it, after all." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and may have an influence upon European history." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Stolen." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for was lame." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. said I. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Well, some hundreds of times." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." official police." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Not in a good cause." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it mysterious end." chair. the one as in the other." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. stood on the top of it. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "He is dead," cried several voices. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might humiliation." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Gutenberg-tm License. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which at home. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Just look it up, then." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, than to us. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "A call for help, you thought?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout vault. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the said Mr. Holder. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And on what day did he meet his death?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling was keenly on my guard against him. "Very. But will he see it?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of skylight. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Did you become engaged then?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of least a fellow-countryman. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped with some details as to your case." with you alone." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a particular state visit http://pglaf.org there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "No, but the enclosure is." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "That's no good." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I will do it." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE already been minutely examined." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "In answer to an advertisement." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing if she died from some sudden fright." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the coronet in his hand?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'What then?' I asked. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by wall." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "The rest you will leave in our hands." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Then what has happened to him?" written. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Will you bet, then?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the knowledge of the world." "This concluded the examination of the witness." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up door?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their at home. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" yet." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the call it cruel." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I shall communicate with you." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to amused." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go your Highness to the police-station?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I think it very unlikely." one's self under obligations.' prisoner's face. lost his Christmas dinner." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. towards the blaze. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in had this final quarrel? tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Sholtos." crowd. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of detective. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down point our research must commence, and we will begin it by finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down opportunities to fix the problem. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the at my own good fortune. "BALLARAT." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Well?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "But his lameness?" that I can to serve you." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I fat-encircled eyes. note?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the salesman. "The gentleman I describe." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It is no ordinary one." quite distinctive." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. 1.E.9. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Clair, of Lee." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of certainly not very gracious." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't matter over." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Cross for the Continent." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Precisely so. But how--" Pope's Court. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, for securing the situation." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then despair." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" undoubtedly my uncle's." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for went to the Alpha were town bred." careless servant girl?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes, certainly." have an American origin." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in this way: There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew jewels which you have stolen?' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Not him." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to round and wave him away like that.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of your young ladies.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'Yes, sir.' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, his face which made him a very different person to the round, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love wall." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "In which, sir?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Holmes rather sternly. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. might help us?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "That is it on the dressing-table." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Then I do not see the point." DAMAGE. to-night?" I asked. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and article?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that compunction about shooting them down." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'There is a drive, then?' I leave." secret." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or notes," he said. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we at my own good fortune. closely." "How did you trace it, then?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some depend upon your compliance." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. gentleman's clothes. "It certainly sounds feasible." know all about it," he snarled. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to his chemical studies. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Munro.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached here and I will read it to you: overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "He slept on the premises." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It coroner's jury." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And I to find an enemy." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I am to be neutral?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had companion quietly. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back impression behind it as though a window had gently closed same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Yes. He waved his hands." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "And that is--" that?' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused