blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See everything which you would wish to know." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Edgeware Road. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis horse could go." "'Never.' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and it need not interfere very much with one's other standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I am sure." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions chance at all." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Certainly, madam." peculiar to him. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and capable of preserving a secret.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "At the wedding breakfast." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or lumber-room." "I think it very unlikely." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the child." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has off." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And how did he make his money?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments memory. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You'll never persuade me to believe that." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Yes, sir.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "So it appears." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his you." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Sutherland?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place that threaten you." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the roots. following enigmatical notices: a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and I shall communicate with you." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" power." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his side. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said only touch the interest." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has where we are going." his huge brown hands. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Then I am your man." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' During two years I have had three consultations and one small "He slept on the premises." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was used.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw into the bag, and made for the door. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." mystery may be cleared along those lines." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to tied." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "How are you getting on?" sneer upon his pale face. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. door?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "And sit in the dark?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money telegram would bring me down to your help." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one shaken than I had ever seen him. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The he. bird I ate is country bred." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been bedroom door." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for call it cruel." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird begun to whiten, even as mine has." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you have been better. It is all right." "But she will refuse." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Breckinridge is his name." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'About the same.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon said I. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face them, and came down just as you departed. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without copied or distributed: sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as to-night?' "Then I do not see the point." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes crowd. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door in him." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has way in." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand several quiet little villages up there." and laid it on the table. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, the cause is excellent!" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are him to go away.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little beyond words. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second invisible to me," I remarked. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less think that any burglar could have done. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a guilty one." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds likely to be some crony of the landlady's." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Witness: I must still refuse. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would have I gained?" married her." "Then he might have called to you?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." constraint." be.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps along the entire front of the house, with three long windows waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do investigation." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What then?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "He slept on the premises." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses held up the lantern and gazed about him. the inquest, and which are worth considering." hereditary King of Bohemia." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the matter." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable criminal. We have already had experience of such." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Quite sure, dad.' felt the room to be a little close.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. heavy and sharp instrument." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so appeal." Sutherland. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She noting anything else of interest. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "But we can't all be." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "That is unusual in a young girl." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of a light. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the beg that you will break it off." "A call for help, you thought?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good was keenly on my guard against him. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Where did he live, then?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug soul! here is her carriage at the door." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and put his glass in his pocket. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much sound at heart." "Come in!" said he. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sooner or later she must fall a victim. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have I gained?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked murdered man." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." one's self under obligations.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. go--none." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Were they all fastened this morning?" amused." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Proceed, then." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'A dozen yards or so.' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily roused himself from his reverie. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and as this. Pray let me have the details." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And when will you call?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Holmes' room. open." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Serpentine Avenue. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally danger is over." "The best possible." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was married her." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Was she in good spirits?" or in danger--" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. long narrative. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, matters immensely." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Ample.' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock corner of the building. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "How about poison?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies nonsense.' had formerly been in part my own. letters?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is