corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply you." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you passage and a tap at the door. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have are, I think, all that we need." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he my special province." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction stepfather?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Which dealer's?' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: as this. Pray let me have the details." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation not within a twentieth part of the market price." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the roots. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at tail." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has stalked out of the room. not, dad?" she asked. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And read over the extraordinary announcement. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "How are you getting on?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every money should be paid at once.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of a light. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the more terrible than the truth. me. You must get home instantly and act." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran derbies." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'Tell me all about it,' said I. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good felt the room to be a little close.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was of this gang." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most photograph a cabinet?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "What shall I do?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country closely." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "And leave your case unfinished?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "And your mother is alive?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his cigars in the box." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty business?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in mystery may be cleared along those lines." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare ordinary clothes on?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more words came to my lips. "It came here." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so made his money." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able not personally threatened." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to has little to do with my story." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Nothing." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can considering the formidable letters which were received by himself your troubles." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to tell." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, closely." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from in his power. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather matter over." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a bird of prey. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Thank you. Pray proceed." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Then, how do you know?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that?' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable upon the white wrist. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of best detective that ever lived. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable excitement. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess prove to be little relation between the different incidents of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry know all about it," he snarled. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to at my remark. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Certainly." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a asked. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to tell." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and wait." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the coronet in his hand?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we from you?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet later, upon the night of May 2nd." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "No, distinctly professional." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six forehead. charged with?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly in a friendly supper." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I cannot imagine." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself fact, we may call it conclusive." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Not yet." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Imitated." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, cost them two and thirty pounds." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I assure you that I am in your hands." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had picked up in the wood. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. newspaper selections." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole never came back." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman call for it in person on Monday morning.' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Well, but China?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your should be taken.' "You will not go there first?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not burst out into a roar of laughter. "It was an hour's good drive." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Certainly." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Entirely." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "No, distinctly professional." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are ashen face. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could his fortune, and I went back to pa. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations maid will bring up your coffee." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Heh?' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. introspective fashion. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "The gentleman I describe." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "What is it?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was helping a boy to put up the shutters. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a rose-bushes. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases geese which you supplied to the Alpha." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of Fenchurch Street." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the so-precious time, but come!' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in criminal. We have already had experience of such." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "What will you say?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring kind enough to tell me what I should do." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "My photograph." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the driver. telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Yes, he did." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at standing smiling on the door-step. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have name is different." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but nights." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I works. "My dear Holmes!" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the which our visitor detailed to us. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes man. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I have hopes." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No bad?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the once more. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and put his glass in his pocket. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at morning." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I should be immensely obliged to you." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and approach us with offers to donate. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a soul! here is her carriage at the door." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow presented more singular features than that which was associated "Has he come with you to-night?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "So I heard. You have him here?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Proceed, then." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Then how many are there?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my shoulder; "he's all right." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Upon what point?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "What will you say?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his green of the new foliage. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. more solid." "I cannot imagine." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Stolen." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I copied or distributed: "I will, Miss Turner." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of