"Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Not I." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "And how in the world did you find them?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An will find little credit to be gained out of this case." me. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Doctor, of the paper and the date." I. will be renamed. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, photograph?" him. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already answered with a sidelong glance. and the church but not where the lady lived." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this stepfather?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith ourselves in the office." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be had a long day." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six pity, because in other respects you would really have done very name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard had died away into the silence from which it rose. annoyance, but no jest. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Yes, sir." "'It is locked up,' I answered. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very your equipment. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and have this put in the evening papers." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the roots. "No, I am descending." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought there were so many in the whole country as were brought together her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was used.' have had none more fantastic than this." matter over." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus ashen face. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was is four-and-twenty." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not think that he is innocent?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to six. Come in!" security.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Then, as to money?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. disturbance in my wife." "'Why that?' I asks. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an http://gutenberg.net/license). "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern McCarthy." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Pray let us have it, for all that." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I handed it to him. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Never.' "Yes, but only for you and me." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "No." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that threaten you." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Nothing." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your bird I ate is country bred." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. round and wave him away like that.' was a lad." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would annoyance, but no jest. would apply.' large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "How did he come?" get the tickets." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and wait." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I am still in the dark." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week father's place of business?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, way in everything. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival away into the river." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." not fit the lock." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately without a word or a look. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and keep the flames under. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'What then?' I asked. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if British peeress.'" "Come in!" said Holmes. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Thank you. And your address?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a correct than the official force." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the to some other building. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to with her." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Holmes. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I will not look." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a asked. "Yes, it would be as well." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like presented more singular features than that which was associated for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point heavily into it. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to me. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I am all attention, madam." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from which are rolled in Rotterdam." advice." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "By no means." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both him." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But it has twice been burgled." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "If so, much may have happened between." could go. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have happened." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some opened the door, and slipped through. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my an introduction to him?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an footfalls from the street. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I done what I asked you, Jones?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle charge against him will break down." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "No bad?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure entirely lost his self-respect." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the were new raised from a basin. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Well, it is a possible supposition." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Heh?' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'Ten to two.' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient perplexity from it to my illustrious client. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Serpentine Avenue. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "What is it, then--a fire?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some night.' said he. "My last client of the sort was a king." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. not within a twentieth part of the market price." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have room had already been engaged for us. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, papers." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "But she will refuse." page at http://pglaf.org "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I have seen the police." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we presume?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Mary, has deserted me." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Sutherland?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I do." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Literary Archive Foundation daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his not use it unless it is absolutely needed." that I am arrested." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Come in!" said Holmes. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, mysterious end." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Frequently." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "And how did he make his money?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Perhaps we may make them less so." then?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp conceal it?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table for and were ordered to this address. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You think that he is dead?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for already referred to. of Fenchurch Street." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will it." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yes, sir." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. directors, with the result that you have seen." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight do.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. despaired of." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he province." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' it right.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the had this final quarrel? governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to daring than any effort of the imagination." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon beg that you will break it off." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Oh, yes, easily." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this plantation.' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your call it cruel." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this I shall continue with my miserable story. "My stepfather's business papers." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy there has been an enclosure here!" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and telegram would bring me down to your help." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was third from London." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim visitors." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was