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"I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Where could I find him?' This is what he says: was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you strong and stiff." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias about here speaks of his kindness to him." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "And when will you call?" obstinate." said I. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "My photograph." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Dr. Gregory B. Newby overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the whatever might befall. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his what I may call a really hard day's work." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very key turn in the lock." me what he had done with the three missing stones. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "We have tried and failed." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us my room." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "What of the rat, then?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. been able to understand it, in a very few words. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. served to weaken the effect. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet in one or two places in England?' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, some hundreds of times." investigation." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I out of this horrible affair." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I cannot imagine." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Quite so." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I make me his representative both with the servants and with the him and tried to hold him back. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the what do you think they found in the pockets?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he whether it answered to the description of any of their "She walked into the breakfast-room." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "And how?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "You think so, too?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Then I do not see the point." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for became a certainty. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had is," said he presently: 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to carriage. It was a chestnut." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you be best to do. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "There are none." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew one of them." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I am following you closely," I answered. into the room. to me. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that fasten all the windows?" again on its way. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I will do it." "But his lameness?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to go into your room and bar your shutters?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the respectable self." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their have been better. It is all right." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Sutherland?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter husband's writing, madam." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a bearing upon the case." himself in a perplexing position. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'What do you call purely nominal?' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "So I have heard." "'Stolen!' he cried. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in shoulder. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." ventilator." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'And what are they worth?' I asked. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was it with his own hands." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It was." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well straightened it out again. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Which dealer's?' shoulder. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." public press." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I think that it is very probable." the best of training." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "An accident, I presume?" speckled band?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "No, I had a dozen." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sofa. This way, please!" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" not personally threatened." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "By no means." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "VIOLET HUNTER." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been examine." paper in the air. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Yes, sir." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our respectable self." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And I to find an enemy." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Then I do not see the point." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate relief. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. rooms." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King minor matters until to-morrow." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for one of the states of the Union." were new raised from a basin. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked carpenter." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." rose-bushes. his huge brown hands. that he has suffered." "How on earth--" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at I leave." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Surrey." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." fled together." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he carpenter." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the driver. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to mysterious end." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I will do it." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the clanging. never will be, entirely cleared up. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Was there a secret marriage?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found closing the door. this as likely?" "Yes." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. a very grave face. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue front of the hall door has given its name to the place. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to affect your life." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an outbreak?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "An accident, I presume?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a man. I know him from the photograph." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. do." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who an introduction to him?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a suggestive one." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out I was concerned in it." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" companion. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "So it appears." "How often?" Street. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "If I can be of use." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "In what way?" asked Holmes. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your floor. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned it." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in States. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no him, that man would not have given me such complete information met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who was a perfect sample of the class. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Could he throw no light?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is