swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of records." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Sutherland?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he neither fascinating nor artistic." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any ceremony." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But the mystery?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in for the market.' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no fire. You quite follow me?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the child." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE outside." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He as this. Pray let me have the details." unclasping of his long thin hands. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated acquaintance?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Watson," he said cordially. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news possible that we could bring him back to her? didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. said he at last. "Here?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. breakfast." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. chambers. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to-night?' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an experiences." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Very murderous indeed." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his were wasted." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I would pay ten." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the morning and make my own way in the world.' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it skylight. "None. Neville wrote those words." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are green of the new foliage. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without held up the lantern and gazed about him. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce views." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to see a sister of mine apply for." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the call it cruel." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Well?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a amused." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a tapping his fingers upon the table. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten about. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "That was it, sir." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your lamp. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his overpowering excitement and concern. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of receipt of the work. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet one which it was hard to resist. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to existence." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Ample.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa again before evening." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of situation." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the inner apartment." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is even of instruction." telegram would bring me down to your help." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and glanced through. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." delighted to hear it," he said. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to-night?' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "That also I could fathom." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Always." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "But how did you gain them?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable chair. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "It surprised me." purpose of examination. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Stolen, then." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have had picked up in the wood. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I am sure." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, handed it to him. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY detective. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a could not have written that. It is the German who is so the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." gives a meaning to it." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile miles off. should be taken.' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Serpentine Avenue. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, outsides of the windows. followed. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the general public were present, then?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I cannot tell." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, wedding?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of the way of danger. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hard-headed British jury." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Munro.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "What will you do, then?" hands. Lee, in the county of Kent." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Yes." man. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a did not hear it also.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat such attractions and accomplishments?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Seven!" I answered. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. enough to aid us in our search." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and business?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. in a very precise fashion." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." most interesting one." meant." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a John Swain, of St. Augustine. "That's no good." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' strong reason behind." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "How did that help you?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "He is dead," cried several voices. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my breakfast." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Is purely nominal.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to surprise her." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody of receipt of the work. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You'll never persuade me to believe that." better in every way that they should make their position a little anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." whereabouts. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Has he come with you to-night?" for securing the situation." "Where to?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. six. Come in!" "I know where it is." to his chemical studies. she to prove their authenticity?" future lives." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "By no means." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." were wasted." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "A confidential servant?" wife's character?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and one of the states of the Union." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her their singular warning or token before them when starting upon approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room other, as fresh and trim as possible. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, to change my dress. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of them, and came down just as you departed. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. on re-entering her father's house?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when away into the river." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the undoubtedly my uncle's." kindly on the shoulder. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular asked. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Well." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. deduce something from that?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Whose house is it?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "One of his hands." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The best possible." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Again Holmes raved in the air. get her out of the way." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, chance." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Will you go?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She