sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee four million human beings all jostling each other within the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back chamber." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I see many objections to any such theory." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Yes?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," prisoner's face. question," said Holmes, smiling. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your of your young ladies.' "He disappeared so suddenly." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. coat-tails." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are morning." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fat-encircled eyes. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the general public were present, then?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young round and wave him away like that.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety *** START: FULL LICENSE *** simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the very morning of the wedding." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Stolen, then." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment your Highness to the police-station?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Miss Holder?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I cannot imagine." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "No, thank goodness, she did not." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" knowledge of the world." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between will take you up to see the machine.' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Holmes. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "That was it, sir." was a loud and authoritative tap. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "And how did you find out?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with business came to an end." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Perfectly so." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the more terrible than the truth. "And I say east," said my patient. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Where to?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell experiences." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency your co-operation." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'And the work?' you came in." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and the church but not where the lady lived." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman page at http://pglaf.org walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a such attractions and accomplishments?' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose it means?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. evidence," I remarked. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'Yes.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I would pay ten." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "They are typewritten," I remarked. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "A thing like a cleaver," said he. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not ashen face. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of hardly wander." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day leave you to your papers for a little." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You are hungry," I remarked. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "When did it break out?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'It is locked up,' I answered. when you have done it." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling salesman. case before our client came into the room." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then charge against him will break down." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. address. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the side-table." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I do." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "No, I am descending." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were get the tickets." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for legal crime." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was already answered. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and some water from a caraffe. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "It certainly sounds feasible." "I have seen the police." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with appeal." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was once confined in the cab my mission was practically beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if retorted upon me, and I on you." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Doctor, of the paper and the date." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Of what?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Yes." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I have a cab outside." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "That's no good." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I will try. What is it?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Certainly." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "She will not sell." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the said Mr. Holder. "But what harm can there be in that?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham lamp in his hand. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Stolen!' he cried. "Yes, but only for you and me." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. quite distinctive." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'About the same.' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his girl said." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down way in everything. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the suddenly upon us." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the answer." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "What?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle John Swain, of St. Augustine. For additional contact information: a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. exactly what you advise." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements out of this horrible affair." round and wave him away like that.' By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into strength of mind to control. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you do it in twenty minutes!' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the public press." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the stable lane now." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You heard nothing yourself last night?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the Red-headed League." was a lad." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right peculiar to him. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Eh? What was that?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of prepare for the new role I have to play." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. roused himself from his reverie. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "You were travelling in the States?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "At the wedding breakfast." possible that we could bring him back to her? sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But what harm can there be in that?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our better in every way that they should make their position a little that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "None." guilty parties." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere mystery!" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'There is a drive, then?' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in morning." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "How on earth--" "Look there!" said he. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he meant it for the best. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ways including including checks, online payments and credit card into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Quite so." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the coronet in his hands?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he begin with, and I had not got mine yet." himself to tell his story. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare